THE   UNSEEN   EAR 
NATALIE  SUMNER  LINCOLN 


WTf.  flf  TAUF.  UBHAHY.  T,OS 


DROPPING  ON   HER   KNEES,    SHE  TURNED  THE  DIAL 


[page  249] 


THE  UNSEEN  EAR 


BY  NATALIE  SUMNER  LINCOLN 


AUTHOR  OF 

"/  Spy"  "The  Moi-ing  Finger"  "The  Nameless  Man" 
"The  Red  Seal,"  "The  Three  Strings"  etc. 


WITH  FRONTISPIECE 


A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY 

Publishers  New  York 

Published  by  arrangement  with  D.  Appleton  &  Company 
Printed  in  U.  S.  A. 


COPYRIGHT,   1921,   BY 

D.  APPLETON  AND  COMPANY 


Copyright,  1920,  br  Street  and  Smith 

PMXTBD    IN    THB    UNITED    STATES    OF   AMEEIOA 


TO 
MY  MOTHER 

WHOSE  UNFLAGGING  INTEREST  HAS 
STIMULATED  MY  LITERARY  WORK,  THI3 
LATEST  BOOK  IS  LOVINGLY  INSCRIBEU. 


21,30939 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTB*  PAQ1 

I  THROUGH  THE  PORTIERES    .*.*•».      I 

II    IDENTIFIED        ......      5 

III  THEORIES 23 

IV  LOST:   A  MEMORANDUM     .......    41 

V    MORE  THEORIES •     •    57 

VI    SPECULATION 77 

VII    THE  KNAVE  OF  HEARTS 94 

VIII    PRO  AND  CON 113 

IX    HALF  A  SHEET 123 

X    BELOW  STAIRS 140 

XI    THE  THREAT 153 

XII    THE  THEFT 169 

XIII  "MlZPAH" I»2 

XIV  SUSPICION 193 

XV    THE  PUSH  BUTTON 209 

XVI    LINKS  IN  THE  CHAIN 225 

XVII    THE  DANCING  SILHOUETTES 242 

XVIII    EDGED  TOOLS 252 

XIX    THE  UNSEEN  EAR 270 

XX    RUN  TO  COVER 279 


THE  UNSEEN  EAR 

CHAPTER  I 

THROUGH  THE  PORTIERES 

THE  bedroom  door  opened  and  closed  on 
its  oiled  hinges  without  a  sound,  and  a 
man  walked  over  to  the  closet.  With 
methodical  care  he  hung  his  coat  on  its  accus- 
tomed peg  before  moving  deliberately  over  to  his 
bureau.  On  its  highly  polished  top  he  laid  down 
a  soiled  scrap  of  paper.  His  quiet,  orderly  ac- 
tions gave  no  indication  of  the  rage  consuming 
him.  As  he  raised  his  head  his  eyes  traveled  up- 
ward and  he  started  back  involuntarily  at  the  face 
contemplating  him  in  the  mirror.  His  face  — 
but  was  that  distorted  countenance  his  face? 
With  a  shudder  he  glanced  over  his  shoulder  and 
about  the  room ;  then  slowly,  fearfully  he  turned 
to  face  his  other  self  mirrored  in  the  glass  before 
him. 

Judith  Richards  poked  the  fire  into  a  brighter 
blaze,  then  leaned  back  in  her  chair  with  a  little 

i 


The  Unseen  Ear 


sigh  of  content  and  idly  turned  over  the  pages  of 
the  book  she  had  been  reading.  The  happy  end- 
ing recorded  in  the  romance  reflected  her  own 
mood.  Two  months  a  bride!  Her  lips  parted 
in  a  tender  smile  as  events  of  her  happy  married 
life  recurred  to  her,  and  dropping  the  book  in  her 
lap,  she  rested  her  head  against  the  tufted  chair 
and  watched  the  burning  logs  in  dreamy  contem- 
plation. She  was  not  conscious  of  the  lateness 
of  the  hour  or  of  the  fact  that  she  was  no  longer 
alone  in  the  large  library. 

The  newcomer  who  had  entered  noiselessly 
through  the  portieres  hanging  before  the  doorway 
leading  from  the  library  into  the  dining  room, 
moved  cautiously  forward  to  obtain  a  better  view 
of  Judith.  Satisfied  that  he  had  not  disturbed  her 
reverie,  he  sidled  stealthily  over  to  a  large  safe, 
which  stood  near  a  mahogany  desk,  and  dropped 
on  his  knees  before  it. 

Without  rising  from  his  crouching  position,  he 
pushed  forward  a  chair  until  its  broad  proportions 
completely  sheltered  his  movements  should  Judith 
turn  around  and  glance  in  his  direction ;  then,  los- 
ing no  further  time,  he  twirled  the  dial  of  the  safe 
around  with  practiced  fingers,  and  as  the  massive 
door  finally  swung  open  he  went  systematically 
through  each  compartment  of  the  safe.  Fully 


Through  the  Portieres 


twenty  minutes  passed  and  the  man  moistened  his 
dry  lips.  Was  his  search  to  go  unrewarded  ? 

As  he  felt  about  in  the  last  compartment  to  be 
examined  his  fingers  encountered  a  piece  of  paper 
caught  apparently  in  a  crevice.  With  infinite  care 
he  pulled  it  loose,  and  rising,  walked  over  to  the 
electric-light  bracket  on  the  wall  by  the  door 
through  which  he  had  entered  the  library.  One 
of  the  bulbs  was  burning,  and  as  he  bent  his  head 
to  examine  the  piece  of  paper,  his  eyes  caught  the 
flash  of  steel  as  it  darted  through  the  portieres, 
and  he  instinctively  recoiled  —  but  too  late  to 
avoid  the  thrust.  With  a  whimpering  cry  he  fell 
face  downward,  his  blood  staining  the  handsome 
rugs. 

Judith  stirred  and  sat  up,  then  after  a  comfort- 
able stretch  of  her  stiffened  muscles,  she  replaced 
her  book  on  the  table,  and  with  a  glance  at  the 
mantel  clock,  paused  to  warm  her  hands  at  the 
smoldering  embers. 

It  was  much  later  than  she  had  supposed  —  one 
o'clock.  With  a  faint  shiver  she  pulled  her  dainty 
warm  wrapper  more  closely  about  her  slender  fig- 
ure before  leaning  over  to  switch  off  the  reading 
lamp.  Picking  up  her  large  sewing  bag  she 
walked  across  the  library  intending  to  press  the 
wall  button  which  controlled  the  electric  side 

3 


The  Unseen  Ear 


lights.  But  her  intention  was  forgotten  as  her 
sleepy  eyes  caught  sight  of  the  crumpled  figure 
lying  in  front  of  the  entrance  to  the  dining  room. 

A  cry  broke  from  her  and  slowly  her  shocked 
wits  took  in  the  significance  of  the  ever  widening 
red  stain  creeping  across  the  rugs  and  floor.  For 
long  seconds  she  stood  staring,  too  terrified  to 
move.  Gradually  gathering  courage,  she  ad- 
vanced and,  placing  one  trembling  hand  on  the 
man's  shoulder,  rolled  him  over  until  his  face 
was  exposed  to  view.  With  a  bound  she  regained 
her  feet,  her  hands  raised  to  her  throbbing 
temples,  while  the  sewing  bag  tumbled  unheeded 
to  the  floor. 

She  was  unaware  of  the  passing  time  as  she 
gazed  at  the  face  before  her,  a  face  scarcely  less 
gray  in  death  than  her  own,  from  which  every  ray 
of  color  had  been  stricken.  Slowly,  slowly  she 
took  in  every  detail  of  the  man's  appearance,  then 
with  numb,  clumsy  fingers  she  jerked  a  long  pair 
of  steel  shears  from  her  sewing  bag  and,  kneeling 
down  once  more  by  the  dead  man,  she  hacked  and 
tore  at  his  watch  chain  until  she  had  loosened  a 
small  locket. 

Slipping  the  locket  inside  her  belt  and  clutching 
the  sewing  bag,  she  staggered  to  her  feet  and 
made  her  way  into  the  large  central  hall  as  a 

4 


Through  the  Portieres 


key  turned  in  the  front  door  and  a  man  stepped 
inside  the  house. 

"Joe!  Thank  God!"  Judith's  low  cry 
ended  abruptly,  and  her  husband  was  just  in  time 
to  catch  her  as  she  fell  unconscious  to  the  floor. 


CHAPTER  II 
IDENTIFIED 

DETECTIVE  FERGUSON  laid  an 
impatient  finger  on  the  bell  of  the  front 
door  of  the  Hale  residence  and,  remov- 
ing his  hat,  fanned  himself  vigorously.  Coroner 
Penfield's  message  had  been  imperative  and,  the 
Headquarters'  car  having  been  out  on  an  errand, 
he  had  commandeered  a  "  bike  "  which  a  patrol- 
man had  left  in  the  outer  hallway,  and  had  pedaled 
uptown  as  rapidly  as  possible.  The  unwonted 
exertion,  as  well  as  his  intense  curiosity,  had  both 
served  to  excite  him.  What  untoward  circum- 
stances had  required  his  immediate  presence  at 
three  in  the  morning  at  the  home  of  Robert  Hale, 
eminent  scientist  and  respected  citizen  of  the 
National  Capital? 

The  detective's  wonderment  grew  as  the  front 
door  flew  back  and  he  stepped  over  its  threshold 
into  the  semidarkness  of  the  large  central  hall  of 
the  house.  The  stillness  was  broken  by  a  low- 
voiced  direction,  and  Ferguson,  peering  around, 
saw  a  man,  his  presence  partly  concealed  behind 

6 


Identified 

the  open  front  door,  watching  him.  The  man 
shut  the  door  with  such  care  that  it  made  no 
sound. 

"  Come  this  way,"  he  repeated,  and  Ferguson, 
with  an  instinctive  bow,  realized  he  was  addressed 
by  a  member  of  the  household  and  not  a  servant. 
Checking  his  impulse  to  ask  questions,  the  detec- 
tive followed  his  guide  across  the  hall  and  into  a 
brilliantly  lighted  room.  The  sudden  transition 
from  semidarkness  caused  Ferguson  to  blink  owl- 
ishly,  and  he  paused  abruptly  on  hearing  the  faint 
click  of  the  folding  doors,  through  which  they 
had  entered,  being  closed  behind  them. 

"  Coroner  Penfield  is  over  there,"  stated  his 
guide,  and  Ferguson,  grown  more  accustomed  to 
the  light,  looked  in  the  direction  indicated  just  as 
Penfield  rose  from  his  stooping  position  and 
turned  toward  him.  The  coroner's  expression 
changed  at  sight  of  the  detective  and  he  beckoned 
him  to  approach.  An  instant  later  and  Ferguson 
was  staring  down  at  the  figure  of  a  man  lying 
partly  turned  upon  his  back.  Penfield  pointed  to 
the  small  wound  over  the  heart  and  to  the  ashen 
cheeks  and  staring  eyes. 

"  Dead,"  he  said,  tersely.     "  Stabbed." 

Ferguson  whistled  low,  shot  one  questioning 
look  at  the  coroner,  and  then  turned  his  attention 

7 


The  Unseen  Ear 


to  the  dead  man  and  the  room.  With  minute 
care  he  examined  the  body  and  then  scanned  the 
library.  There  was  no  indication  of  a  struggle 
having  taken  place,  no  chairs  or  tables  were  over- 
turned. Ferguson  paused  in  perplexity  —  the 
orderly  appearance  of  the  room  surprised  him; 
his  eyes  ran  up  and  down  the  book-lined  walls, 
over  the  handsome  curtains  drawn  across  the  deep 
window  alcoves,  and  the  drawn  portieres  —  the 
furnishing  of  the  library  was  a  key  to  the  wealth 
and  good  taste  of  its  owner,  but  as  the  back- 
ground for  the  scene  of  a  tragedy  it  failed  lament- 
ably to  give  any  clew  to  it  or  answer  his  yet 
unasked  questions. 

"  Well,  doctor,"  he  turned  to  the  coroner, 
"  who's  the  dead  man  and  who  stabbed  him  ?  " 

Instead  of  replying,  Penfield  addressed  the 
third  man  in  the  library  who,  since  admitting  the 
detective,  had  remained  a  silent  witness  of  their 
investigations. 

"  Major  Richards,"  he  began,  "  kindly  repeat 
just  what  you  told  me  on  my  arrival,"  and  seat- 
ing himself  at  a  convenient  table,  he  drew  out 
a  fountain  pen  and  a  memorandum  pad. 
"  Major  Joseph  Richards,"  he  added  by  way  of 
explanation,  "  is  Mr.  Hale's  son-in-law,  Fergu- 
son." 

8 


Identified 

Richards  acknowledged  the  detective's  jerky 
bow  at  mention  of  his  name  with  a  grave  inclina- 
tion of  his  head. 

"  The  information  I  can  give  you  is  meager," 
he  stated,  and  Ferguson,  sensitive  to  first  impres- 
sions, grew  conscious  of  an  undercurrent  of  agita- 
tion admirably  controlled  by  Richards'  delibera- 
tion of  speech;  only  a  longer  acquaintance  would 
tell  whether  such  was  characteristic  of  him.  "  I 
returned  from  the  club  about  twenty  minutes  past 
one,  found  my  wife" — his  hesitation  was  al- 
most imperceptible  — "  indisposed,  and  on  com- 
ing in  here  later  to  look  for  a  bottle  of  bro- 
mide which  she  had  left  on  the  library  table,  I  dis- 
covered " — 

He  stopped,  and  an  eloquent  gesture  completed 
his  sentence. 

"  You  found  the  room  occupied,"  supplemented 
the  coroner  practically.  "  Was  the  man  dead  or 
alive  ?  "  and  the  look  he  shot  at  Richards  under 
his  shaggy  brows  was  penetrating. 

"  The  man  was  dead.''  Richards'  eyelids 
flickered  somewhat.  "  At  least  I  judged  so  from 
my  superficial  knowledge  of  medical  matters.  I 
certainly  did  not  kill  him." 

Penfield  let  pass  a  certain  flippant  hardness 
which  had  crept  into  Richards'  manner,  and  Fer- 

9 


The  Unseen  Ear 


guson,  who  had  worked  with  the  coroner  in  many 
criminal  cases,  followed  his  cue. 

"  What  was  your  next  action,  Major 
Richards?"  Penfield  inquired. 

"  I  returned  to  my  wife  and  gave  her  the  medi- 
cine, then  slipped  downstairs  and  called  you  up," 
was  the  concise  reply.  "  You  came  and  instructed 
me  to  send  for  Detective  Ferguson,  and  after 
doing  so,  I  awaited  his  arrival  and  brought  him 
here." 

"  Did  you  inform  your  wife  of  your  gruesome 
discovery  in  the  library  ?  "  inquired  Penfield. 

"  I  did  not." 

"Why  not?" 

"  My  wife  was  already  in  a  highly  nervous 
state,  and  I  feared  she  would  become  ill  if  further 
excited,"  Richards  explained. 

Penfield  frowned  at  his  note  pad.  "  What  had 
made  her  nervous?" 

"  A  motor  accident  in  the  early  afternoon," 
quietly.  "  Her  electric  was  run  into  by  a  taxi- 
cab,  and  while  no  one  was  hurt,  she  suffered  from 
fright  and  shock." 

"  Too  bad,"  commented  Penfield,  his  manner 
somewhat  sympathetic,  and  would  have  added 
more,  but  Detective  Ferguson,  tired  of  the  role 
of  listener,  broke  in  brusquely. 

10 


Identified 

"Who  is  the  dead  man,  Major  Richards?" 
he  demanded. 

"  I  do  not  know."  The  low-spoken  answer 
was  firm  and  Richards'  gaze  did  not  waver  be- 
fore their  stares.  The  detective  was  the  first  to 
look  away. 

"  I  see,  a  case  of  ordinary  burglary,"  he  said, 
moving  to  the  dead  man.  "  He's  wearing  a  dark 
suit,  good  quality  cloth,  however,  and  rubber 
heeled  shoes."  He  transferred  his  gaze  to  the 
safe,  only  partly  visible  from  where  he  stood  ow- 
ing to  the  position  of  a  large,  tufted  lounging 
chair.  "  Ah,"  striding  over  to  it,  he  laid  his 
hand  on  the  levers  and  the  door  swung  open  with- 
out resistance.  "  It's  unlocked ;  evidently  the 
burglar  got  it  open  before — "  He  checked  his 
hasty  speech  and  faced  Richards  who  had  watched 
his  rapid  movements  with  interest.  "  Who  owns 
this  safe?" 

"  Mr.  Robert  Hale." 

"  Is  it  usually  left  unlocked?  " 

"  I  believe  not." 

"  You  believe  not  " —  the  dectective  caught 
him  up  quickly.  "Are  you  not  familiar  with  Mr. 
Hale's  habits?" 

"  No,"  regarding  him  steadily.  "  My  wife  and 
I  returned  from  our  wedding  journey  only  two 

ii 


The  Unseen  Ear 


weeks  ago.  We  are  at  present  the  guests  of  her 
parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Hale.  During  our 
visit  I  have  not,"  with  quiet  emphasis,  "  familiar- 
ized myself,  as  you  put  it,  with  Mr.  Hale's  habits, 
but  I  once  overheard  him  tell  his  wife  that  he  never 
left  the  safe  unlocked." 

Ferguson  stooped  down  and  examined  the  safe 
with  careful  attention. 

"  The  lock's  not  been  forced,"  he  muttered. 
"  It  looks  like  the  job  of  an  expert  safe  cracker, 
or " —  with  an  upward  glance  at  Richards  — 
"  some  one  familiar  with  the  combination." 

"  The  Rogues'  Gallery  will  aid  in  identifying 
the  dead  man  if  he  is  a  '  regular,'  "  broke  in 
Coroner  Penfield.  "  But  who  killed  the  bur- 
glar?" He  looked  across  at  Richards.  "Who 
is  in  this  house  besides  you  and  your  wife?" 

"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hale  have  residing  with  them, 
besides  my  wife  and  myself,  Mr.  Hale's  younger 
brother,  John  Hale,"  Richards  answered. 
"  There  are  a  number  of  servants  who  also  sleep 
in  the  house." 

Penfield  consulted  his  note  pad.  "  Did  you 
go  for  Mr.  Hale  or  his  brother  on  finding  the 
dead  man?"  he  questioned. 

"  Mrs.  Hale  and  her  brother-in-law  are  at  a 
reception  given  by  the  French  Ambassador  and 

12 


Identified 

his  wife,"  responded  Richards.  "  They  have  not 
yet  returned." 

"And  Mr.  Robert  Hale—  ?" 

"  Is  ill  in  bed,"  Richards  perched  himself  on 
the  arm  of  a  chair.  "  When  I  rushed  upstairs 
with  the  medicine  for  my  wife  I  went  first  to  Mr. 
Hale's  bedroom  and,  on  finding  him  asleep,  with- 
drew as  quietly  as  possible." 

"  Didn't  you  summon  the  servants  ?  "  asked 
Penfield. 

"  I  did  not."  Observing  the  look  of  surprise  on 
their  faces,  he  added,  "  The  servants  are  women. 
I  did  not  wish  to  terrify  them  with  this  sight," 
and  he  waved  his  hand  in  the  direction  of  the 
dead  man. 

Penfield  reflected  a  moment,  and  in  the  brief 
interval  Ferguson  took  mental  note  of  Major 
Richards'  fine  physique  and  strongly  molded  fea- 
tures. He  did  not  look  the  man  to  lose  his  head 
in  an  emergency ;  on  the  contrary,  his  self-posses- 
sion and  poise  made  a  favorable  impression  on 
both  the  men  watching  him  so  intently.  Richards 
was  about  to  speak  again  when  Penfield  held  up 
his  hand. 

"  Just  a  moment,"  he  cautioned.  "  Let  me  get 
this  straight.  You  reached  this  house  about 
twenty  minutes  after  one  this  morning;  Mrs.  Hale 

13 


The  Unseen  Ear 


and  her  brother-in-law  are  still  at  the  French 
Embassy  reception,  leaving  at  home  Mr.  Hale, 
ill  in  bed,  your  wife,  and  the  female  servants. 
An  unidentified  man  enters  the  house  in  your 
absence  and  upon  your  return  you  find  him 
dead  in  the  library.  Did  you  hear  voices  or  re- 
treating footsteps  when  you  came  in  the  front 
door?" 
"  No." 

"  Did  you  meet  any  one  when  on  your  way 
to  your  wife's  room?" 

"  No."  Richards'  eyes  did  not  falter  in  their 
direct  gaze  at  the  coroner.  He  confined  his  re- 
plies to  monosyllables. 

"  Strange !  "  Penfield  walked  back  and  stood 
looking  down  at  the  dead  man.  "  Very  strange. 
I  have  made  only  a  superficial  examination,  Major 
Richards,  but  I'll  stake  my  reputation  that  that 
wound  was  not  self-inflicted.  The  man  was 
stabbed  " —  he  paused  and  his  voice  deepened  — 
"murdered." 

The  lines  in  Richards'  face  showed  more  plainly 
as  he  set  his  square  jaw  at  a  determined  angle. 
"  The  killing  of  a  burglar  is  generally  considered 
justifiable  homicide,"  he  said  sternly.  "  It  is 
one's  right  to  protect  one's  property  from  mid- 
night marauders." 

14 


Identified 

"  Who  protected  Mr.  Hale's  home  in  this  in- 
stance ? "  demanded  Ferguson. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you  that,"  responded  Richards. 
"  But,  Mr.  Coroner,  until  you  know  further  de- 
tails of  how  this  man  came  to  his  death,  you 
cannot  proclaim  it  a  murder  committed  by  an 
inmate  of  this  household." 

"  I  proclaim  nothing,"  denied  Penfield.  "  On 
the  contrary,  I  am  first  most  anxious  to  question 
the  servants,  Mr.  Hale,  and  your  wife  —  the  only 
people,  according  to  your  statement,  at  home  when 
this  man  was  killed  —  and  find  out  if  possible 
what  transpired  here  in  your  absence." 

"  You  cannot  do  that  now,"  interposed  Richards 
hastily.  "  Mr.  Hale  and  my  wife  are  not  in  con- 
dition to  be  interviewed  at  this  hour  —  later  in 
the  day,  perhaps  " —  Ferguson  gave  a  gesture  of 
dissent. 

"  And  in  the  meantime,"  he  interposed  harshly, 
"  the  murderer  will  slip  through  our  fingers,  and 
every  clew  grow  cold." 

"  Not  necessarily,"  replied  Richards  warmly. 
"  You  are  at  liberty  to  examine  this  floor  and 
the  basement  at  the  present  time,  only  I  must  in- 
sist that  you  do  not  disturb  either  my  wife  or  Mr. 
Hale." 

"  Verv  well,  sir."     Ferguson  turned  toward  the 


The  Unseen  Ear 


folding  doors  leading  to  the  central  hall. 
"  Where  are  the  servants'  bedrooms?  " 

"On  the  third  floor."  At  the  words  the  de- 
tective vanished. 

Richards  rose  from  his  perch  on  the  chair  arm 
and  paced  slowly  up  and  down  the  library.  Pen- 
field,  paying  no  attention  to  his  movements,  knelt 
down  by  the  dead  man  and  with  infinite  care 
went  through  his  pockets.  His  search  produced 
some  loose  change,  a  bill- folder  containing  nearly 
a  hundred  dollars,  and  a  bunch  of  keys. 

"  Not  much  help  for  identification  purposes," 
he  remarked  dryly,  as  Richards  halted  by  his  side. 
"  He  was  a  handsome  fellow ;  women  rave  over 
that  type  of  beauty  in  a  man.  He  looks  a  gentle- 
man —  high-bred,  and  all  that." 

"  He  could  not  have  been  in  destitute  circum- 
stances," commented  Richards,  pointing  to  the 
Treasury  bills. 

"Hm  —  yes,"  Penfield  looked  thoughtful. 
"  It  might  be  that  he  rifled  this  money  from  Mr. 
Hale's  safe."  He  wheeled  suddenly  on  Richards. 
"  What  did  Mr.  Hale  keep  in  his  safe?  " 

"  You  will  have  to  ask  Mr.  Hale,"  answered 
Richards  composedly.  "  I  am  ignorant  of  his 
affairs." 

Penfield  stroked  his  chin  slowly;  Richards  as 
16 


Identified 

a  source  of  information  was  a  disappointment. 
Should  he  not  insist  upon  seeing  Mr.  Hale,  ill- 
ness or  no  illness,  unconventional  hour  or  not? 
Valuable  time  was  slipping  away  and  he  was  no 
nearer  vital  information  than  at  the  moment  of 
his  arrival  —  over  an  hour  had  elapsed  since  re- 
ceiving his  hasty  summons.  Penfield  stood  up. 

"  By  the  way,  Major,"  he  began,  "  as  you  are 
a  stranger  in  Washington  and  did  not  ask  the  ad- 
vice of  others  " —  with  a  quick  side-long  scrutiny 
of  which  Richards  appeared  unaware  — "  how 
did  it  happen  that  you  called  me  on  the  telephone 
first  and  not  the  police  ?  " 

For  answer  Richards  strode  over  to  the  table 
near  the  fireplace  and,  picking  up  the  evening 
newspaper  which  lay  spread  across  it,  pointed 
to  a  column  of  news  bearing  display  type. 

"  I  had  been  reading  earlier  in  the  evening 
this  account  of  the  Fuller  inquest,"  he  explained. 
"  Your  name  is  given,  Coroner  Penfield,  and  it 
also  stated  that  the  body  of  the  dead  woman 
could  not  be  moved  until  you  had  arrived  on  the 
scene;  therefore,"  calmly,  "I  judged  that  you 
would  be  of  more  immediate  aid  than  the  police. 
It  was  a  simple  matter  to  find  your  number  in 
the  telephone  directory." 

"  True."     Penfield  considered  a  moment,  then 


The  Unseen  Ear 


moved  restlessly  over  to  the  safe.  Without  re* 
moving  the  contents  of  its  compartments  he  took 
careful  note  of  such  papers  and  objects  as  came 
within  his  view.  He  was  still  gazing  steadily 
at  them  when  the  portieres  before  the  dining  room 
parted  and  Ferguson  stepped  again  into  the  room. 

"  Every  window  on  this  floor  and  the  basement 
is  locked  on  the  inside,"  he  announced.  "  And  I 
also  examined  those  on  the  landings  of  the  stairs 
and  the  hall  of  the  second  floor." 

"You  went  upstairs?"  Richards  moved  to- 
ward him,  his  jaw  set  at  an  angry  angle.  "  After 
what  I  told  you  ?  " 

"  Yes."  There  was  open  defiance  in  the  detec- 
tive's manner.  "  I  looked  only  in  the  rooms 
where  the  doors  were  open,"  he  turned  and  ad- 
dressed Penfield.  "  So  far  as  I  could  discover, 
there  is  no  trace  of  the  burglar's  having  gained 
entrance  through  forcing  a  window  or  door." 

"  No  trace  of  any  one's  lurking  downstairs?  " 
demanded  Penfield. 

"  None." 

"Found  any  weapon?" 

"  No."  Ferguson's  tone  was  glum.  His  gaze, 
shifting  about  the  room,  happened  to  light  on 
Richards  and  he  saw  him  start  and  stiffen  in  a 
listening  attitude. 

18 


Identified 

Ferguson's  eyes  brightened,  and  he  checked 
further  speech.  Suddenly  he  caught  the  sound  of 
a  soft  footfall  and,  as  Richards  started  forward, 
he  interposed  his  bulky  form  between  him  and 
the  folding  doors  as  they  were  pushed  apart  and 
Judith  Richards  stepped  into  the  library.  With 
a  shove  which  sent  the  detective  sprawling, 
Richards  gained  his  wife's  side. 

"Why  have  you  come  down,  dearest?"  he 
asked  tenderly,  bending  his  head  until  his  mouth 
almost  touched  her  ear. 

She  shook  her  head,  as  her  hand  crept  into  his 
and  leaned  her  weight  on  his  protecting  arm. 

"  I  came  down  to  find,"  she  commenced,  and 
her  soft  voice,  though  low-pitched,  reached  the 
two  listening  men,  then  she  stopped  in  fright  as, 
moving  slightly  forward,  she  caught  a  glimpse 
over  Richard's  shoulder  of  Penfield  regarding 
her.  "  Joe  —  who  is  that  ?  " 

"  Ah,  eh  — "  Richards  stammered,  then  caught 
himself  up.  "  It  is  Mr.  Penfield,  dearest."  She 
raised  her  eyes  and  regarded  him  closely,  and 
more  slowly  he  repeated,  "  Dr.  Penfield." 

She  shook  her  head  in  bewilderment,  and  drew 
her  silk  wrapper  more  closely  about  her ;  the  move- 
ment brought  into  view  the  large  sewing  bag  sus- 
pended by  its  cord  from  her  wrist. 

19 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  I  came  down  to  find,"  she  commenced 
again 

"  I  know,"  broke  in  Ferguson  from  his  seat 
on  the  floor  where  his  encounter  with  Richards' 
muscular  figure  had  landed  him.  His  tumble  had 
disarranged  the  rug  and  under  its  lifted  folds  he 
had  caught  the  gleam  of  light  on  metal.  With 
impetuous  fingers  he  drew  out  a  pair  of  long  steel 
shears  and  held  them  aloft.  "  You  left  a  dead 
man  here  and  came  back  to  find  your  bloodstained 
shears." 

An  oath  ripped  from  Richards  and  he  made  a 
step  forward,  but  Judith's  clinging  hand  detained 
him.  She  reeled  against  him  as  she  caught  sight 
of  the  shears,  and  he  held  her  closely;  his  voice, 
though  low,  vibrated  with  passion. 

"  You  —  Ferguson !  "  he  gasped. 

"  Stop !  "  commanded  the  detective.  "  I  am 
not  interested  in  your  statements,  Major  Richards ; 
let  your  wife  answer  my  last  remark." 

"  Answer !  "  Richards  choked ;  then  spoke  more 

clearly.     "You fool!     My    wife    has    not 

heard  a  word  you  said  —  she  is  stone  deaf." 

Ferguson  and  Coroner  Penfield  stared  dum- 
founded  at  husband  and  wife.  The  latter  was  the 
first  to  break  the  strained  silence. 

"  I  am  sorry,  gentlemen,"  she  said,  and  her 
20 


Identified 

deprecating  look,  as  well  as  charming  voice,  con- 
veyed an  apology,  "  I  cannot  understand  what 
you  are  saying."  She  raised  her  eyes  and  gazed 
perplexedly  at  her  husband.  "  Joe,  I  came  down 
to  get  my  ear  trumpet." 

Penfield  recovered  from  his  surprise.  "  It  is 
here,  madam,"  he  exclaimed  and  hurrying  to  the 
safe  picked  up  the  instrument  from  one  of  the 
compartments  and  handed  it  to  Judith.  With 
quick  deft  fingers  she  adjusted  it  to  her  ear  and 
then  Ferguson  addressed  her. 

"  Now,  madam,  perhaps  you  will  explain  — 
don't  interfere,  Major  Richards  —  I  must  have 
an  explanation — " 

"  And  so  must  I."  The  interruption  came  in 
an  unexpected  quarter,  and  both  Penfield  and  the 
detective  wheeled  toward  the  hall  door.  "  What 
is  the  meaning  of  this  scene  in  my  house,  gentle- 
men?" Mrs.  Hale,  tossing  her  ermine  cape  on 
the  nearest  chair,  advanced  to  the  little  group, 
followed  by  her  brother-in-law,  John  Hale. 

Penfield  spoke  before  the  others. 

"  A  crime  has  been  committed  here  to-night, 
madam,  in  your  absence,"  he  began. 

"  A  crime  ?  "     She  interrupted  in  her  turn,  her 
eyes  leaving  her  daughter's  blanched  face  for  the 
first  time.     "  A  crime  —  ?  " 
21 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Yes ;  a  burglar  forced  an  entrance  and  was 
murdered " 

"  A  burglar ! "  John  Hale  pushed  past  his 
sister-in-law  to  the  center  of  the  room.  His 
manner  was  rough  and  domineering.  "  What 
the  devil  are  you  talking  about?  " 

Without  answering,  Ferguson  wheeled  about 
and,  walking  over  to  the  motionless  figure  on  the 
floor,  signed  to  Hale  to  approach. 

"  Here's  the  burglar  —  and  he's  dead,"  he  an- 
nounced concisely,  then  held  up  the  shears,  "  and 
here's  the  weapon  —  from  a  workbag,"  casting 
a  significant  glance  at  the  bag  still  suspended  from 
Judith's  icy  fingers.  Richards'  furious  retort  was 
checked  by  a  cry  of  horror  from  John  Hale. 

With  staring  eyes  and  ghastly  face  he  gazed 
down  at  the  dead  man. 

"  A  burglar !  "  he  cried.  "  Austin  —  my  son !  " 
and  pitched  headlong  to  the  floor. 


CHAPTER  III 
THEORIES 

MRS.  HALE  rattled  her  coffee  cups  and 
looked  over  the  top  of  her  silver  urn 
at  Joe  Richards;  he  had  asked  for  a 
third  cup  of  coffee  and  he  drank  it  clear.  Mrs. 
Hale  was  shocked.  But  the  remonstrance  on  the 
tip  of  her  tongue  died  unspoken  as  she  studied 
his  clear-cut  profile  and  observed  the  dogged  set 
to  his  determined  jaw.  She  took  silent  note  of  his 
unusual  pallor,  the  dark  circles  under  his  eyes, 
and  his  continued  silence.  Mrs.  Hale  felt  re- 
sentful ;  she  was  of  a  talkative  disposition  and 
had  welcomed  an  opportunity  to  discuss  the  mys- 
tery surrounding  Austin  Hale's  death  with  her 
handsome  son-in-law,  but  instead  of  following 
her  lead  he  had  answered  in  monosyllables.  A 
kss  persistent  woman  would  have  given  up  the 
attempt. 

"  Did  you  ask  Judith  if  she  saw  a  light  in 
Austin's  bedroom?  "  she  inquired,  for  at  least  the 
sixth  time.  "  Your  suite  of  rooms  is  directly 

23 


The  Unseen  Ear 


under  his,  poor  boy,"  and  she  sought  refuge  be- 
hind her  damp  handkerchief.  She  emerged  a  mo- 
ment later  to  add,  "  Austin  must  have  gone  to 
his  room,  for  his  overcoat  and  suit  case  were  there 
when  I  went  upstairs  after  that  distressing  scene 
in  the  library  • —  dear  me,  was  it  only  this  morn- 
ing?" 

"  It  was."  Richards'  tone  was  grim  and  did 
not  invite  further  remarks.  For  a  moment  there 
was  silence. 

"  You  haven't  answered  my  question,  my  dear 
boy,"  prompted  Mrs.  Hale  plaintively,  "  nor  have 
you  touched  your  breakfast!"  in  shocked  sur- 
prise as  Anna,  the  waitress,  removed  his  plate. 

"I  —  I  cannot  eat."  With  an  effort  Richards 
suppressed  a  grimace  at  sight  of  the  untasted 
eggs  and  bacon.  "  I  have  no  appetite.  Dear 
Mrs.  Hale,  do  not  distress  yourself  on  my  ac- 
count." 

Mrs.  Hale  regarded  him  in  suspicious  silence; 
she  was  not  quite  certain  what  prompted  his 
sudden  change  of  manner.  Was  he  poking  fun 
at  her  ?  But  as  she  met  his  unwavering  gaze  she 
dismissed  the  idea  as  unworthy,  and  returned 
valiantly  to  the  task  of  eliciting  information. 

"  What  questions  did  you  ask  Judith  ?  "  she 
demanded. 

24 


Theories 

"  I  have  not  questioned  Judith."  Richards 
drew  out  his  cigarette  case.  "  May  I  smoke  ?  " 
And  hardly  waiting  for  her  permission,  he  added, 
"  Judith,  as  you  know,  does  not  feel  well  and  is 
breakfasting  in  her  boudoir.  I  do  not  believe," — 
Richards  paused  and  his  speech  gained  added 
deliberation  — "  I  do  not  believe  Judith  can  supply 
any  information  as  to  the  events  of  last  night, 
nor  any  clew  to  the  unfortunate  murder  of  her 
cousin.  Her  deafness " 

"  I  know,"  broke  in  Mrs.  Hale  hastily  —  any 
allusion  to  Judith's  infirmity  cut  her  mother  love. 
"  I  cannot  think  why,  when  Austin  reached  home, 
he  did  not  at  once  tell  Judith  that  he  was  in  the 
house  —  he  knew  she  could  not  hear  him  enter. 
It  is  most  surprising!"  and  Mrs.  Hale  shook 
a  puzzled  head. 

Richards  considered  her  thoughtfully.  "  Have 
you  found  out  how  and  when  Austin  returned 
last  night?"  he  asked. 

"  Of  course."  Mrs.  Hale  brightened ;  Richards 
was  at  last  expanding  to  the  extent  of  asking 
questions  —  what  had  made  him  so  morose?  "  I 
interviewed  the  servants  immediately  after  leav- 
ing the  library."  She  did  not  add  that  she  had 
scurried  upstairs  in  dire  haste  so  as  to  be  the 
first  person  to  go  to  their  rooms  and  personally 

25 


The  Unseen  Ear 


question  each  and  every  one  —  thereby  upsetting 
Detective  Ferguson's  well-laid  plans,  and  depriv- 
ing the  servants  of  any  sleep  during  the  remainder 
of  the  night.  "  Not  one  of  them,"  impressively, 
"  knew  of  his  return." 

"  Then  how  did  he  get  in?  "  persisted  Richards. 

"  With  his  latchkey,  of  course,"  somewhat  sur- 
prised by  Richards'  manner.  "  Oh,  I  forgot,  you 
did  not  know  Austin,  and  perhaps  we  have  not 
mentioned  that  he  has  always  made  his  home 
with  us  since  his  adoption." 

"  His  what  ?  "  Richards'  voice  rose  in  aston- 
ishment; and  Mrs.  Hale's  complacent  smile  re- 
flected her  gratification;  she  had  at  last  aroused 
Richards'  interest.  "  Do  you  mean  —  was  he 
not  John  Hale's  son  ?  " 

"  No,  only  his  stepson,"  she  explained.  "  John 
married  a  widow,  Cora  Price,  much  older  than 
himself,  when  he  was  but  twenty-four  —  in  fact 
just  out  of  college.  John  is  only  forty-seven 
now,  ten  years  my  husband's  junior.  Dear  me, 
where  was  I?"  and  Mrs.  Hale  pulled  up  short, 
conscious  that  she  had  wandered  from  the  point. 

"  You  were  speaking  of  Austin's  adoption," 
Richards  reminded  her  gently. 

"  Oh,  yes.  Cora  had  a  boy  by  her  first  hus- 
band, and  when  she  died  within  the  year  of  their 

26 


Theories 

marriage,  she  left  him,  then  about  five  years  of 
age,  to  John  to  bring  up,  and  he  legally  adopted 
him,  giving  him  our  name.  John,"  she  added, 
"  is  very  kind-hearted,  if  somewhat  hasty  in  his 
actions." 

Reminded  of  his  cigarette  by  his  burned  fin- 
gers, Richards  dropped  the  stub  in  his  coffee  cup 
and  started  to  light  another  just  as  Maud,  the 
parlor  maid,  appeared  in  the  dining  room. 

"  Detective  Ferguson  has  called  to  see  Mr. 
John,"  she  announced,  addressing  Mrs.  Hale. 
"  Do  you  know  when  he  will  return,  ma'am  ?  " 

"  I  do  not,"  Mrs.  Hale  pushed  back  her  chair 
and  rose  with  alacrity.  "  Where  is  the  detec- 
tive?" 

"  In  the  library,  ma'am." 

"  Show  him  into  the  drawing-room,"  Mrs. 
Hale  directed,  and  not  giving  Richards  an  oppor- 
tunity to  pull  back  the  portieres  before  the  entrance 
to  the  large  room  which  adjoined  the  dining  room 
on  the  west,  she  swept  majestically  away. 

"Maud!"  The  parlor  maid  halted  as 
Richards'  low  voice  reached  her.  "  Did  my  wife 
eat  her  breakfast  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  a  little."  Maud's  sympathetic 
smile  blossomed  forth  as  she  caught  Richards' 
pleased  expression.  She  lingered  before  speed- 

27 


The  Unseen  Ear 


ing  on  her  errand  to  the  waiting  detective.  "  Miss 
Judith  has  brightened  considerable  since  I  gave 
her  Miss  Polly's  answer." 

Richards'  strong  hand  caressed  his  clean-shaven 
chin.  "And  what  was  the  answer?"  he  ques- 
tioned. "Verbal?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  sir ;  James  brought  back  word  that 
Miss  Polly  would  be  right  over,  and  so  I  told 
Miss  Judith." 

"  Thank  you,  Maud,"  and  the  parlor  maid  felt 
rewarded  by  Richards'  charming  smile. 

Richards  had  become  a  favorite  with  the  serv- 
ants, who  idolized  "  Miss  Judith,"  as  they  still 
persisted  in  calling  her.  They  had  awaited  with 
interest  the  arrival  of  the  bride  and  groom  two 
weeks  before,  an  interest  intensified  by  the  storm 
which  had  arisen  on  receipt  of  Judith's  cablegram 
to  her  father  telling  of  her  marriage  in  far-away 
Japan  to  Joseph  Richards. 

Robert  Hale  had  made  no  attempt  to  conceal 
or  modify  his  fury  while  Mrs.  Hale,  deeply  hurt 
by  what  she  termed  her  "  unfilial  conduct,"  had 
promptly  made  the  best  of  the  situation  and  en- 
deavored to  persuade  her  husband  to  accept  the 
inevitable  and  cable  Judith  their  forgiveness. 
Hale,  anxious  to  return  to  his  scientific  experi- 
ments, finally  succumbed  to  her  arguments,  backed 

28 


Theories 

up  by  those  of  his  brother  John,  and,  going  a 
step  further  than  his  wife  had  expected,  added 
an  invitation  to  return  to  the  paternal  roof. 

Richards  had  borne  himself  well  under  the  in- 
spection of  his  wife's  family,  and  Hale  had  grudg- 
ingly admitted  to  his  wife  that  perhaps  he  wasn't 
such  a  bad  lot  after  all,  to  which  Mrs.  Hale, 
who  had  been  won  by  Richards'  charm  of  manner 
and  handsome  presence,  had  indignantly  re- 
sponded that  Judith  had  been  most  fortunate  in 
her  selection  of  a  husband.  Hale's  only  response 
had  been  a  sardonic  grin. 

As  the  parlor  maid  hurried  down  the  hall, 
Richards  paused  in  thought;  Mrs.  Hale  had  not 
invited  him  to  go  with  her  to  the  drawing-room, 
but  —  with  bent  head  he  meditatively  paced  up 
and  down,  his  steps  involuntarily  carrying  him 
nearer  and  nearer  the  portieres;  as  he  paused 
irresolutely  before  them,  Mrs.  Hale's  voice  came 
to  him  clearly. 

"  Detective  Ferguson,  I  must  insist  on  an  an- 
swer to  my  question." 

Richards  jerked  the  portieres  aside  and  without 
ceremony  entered  the  drawing-room.  Ferguson 
turned  at  sound  of  his  footsteps  and  bowed  to 
him  before  answering  Mrs.  Hale  who  was  re- 
garding him  with  fixed  attention. 
29 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  I  can't  tell  you  anything,  Mrs.  Hale,"  he 
protested.  "  I  came  here  to  get  information." 

"What  information?"  Mrs.  Hale  had 
frowned  at  sight  of  Richards,  then,  her  momen- 
tary displeasure  gone,  addressed  herself  to  the 
detective.  She  enjoyed  the  role  of  inquisitor. 

"  I  wanted  to  talk  with  Mr.  John  Hale." 

"  He  is  out." 

"  So  your  maid  said."  Ferguson  fingered  the 
table  ornaments  with  restless  fingers ;  he  was  get- 
ting nowhere  and  time  was  slipping  away. 
"Where's  he  gone?" 

Richards  answered  the  question.  "  To  the 
cemetery,  I  understood  him  to  say."  He  glanced 
at  his  watch.  "  Mr.  Hale  should  be  back  in  a 
very  short  time." 

"  Then  I'll  wait,  Major,"  and  Ferguson,  who 
had  secretly  resented  Mrs.  Hale's  discourtesy  in 
not  asking  him  to  be  seated,  jerked  forward  a 
chair  and  threw  himself  into  it.  "  Can  I  see 
your  husband,  madam  ?  " 

"  You  cannot."  Mrs.  Hale  rapped  out  the  re- 
ply, and  Richards  shot  a  quick  look  of  inquiry  in 
her  direction.  "  My  husband  is  under  Dr.  Mc- 
Lane's  care,  and  until  the  doctor  gives  permission 
he  cannot  be  interviewed." 

"  Dr.   McLane,"   repeated  Ferguson,   and  his 
30 


Theories 

face  brightened.  "  The  doctor  came  in  just  be- 
fore I  did.  Will  you  please  send  him  word  that 
I  would  like  to  see  him  before  he  leaves?  " 

Mrs.  Hale  considered  for  a  brief  second,  then 
turned  to  Richards  who  was  standing  near  the 
mantel.  "  Please  touch  the  bell  for  Maud,"  and 
as  he  did  so,  she  again  spoke  to  Ferguson. 

"Why  do  you  desire  to  see  my  husband?" 
she  asked,  and  her  manner  had  regained  its  usual 
suavity. 

"  To  question  him  regarding  the  occurrences  of 
last  night,"  answered  Ferguson.  "  Have  you  al- 
ready done  so?  "  and  he  eyed  her  keenly. 

Mrs.  Hale  shook  her  head,  but  before  she 
could  otherwise  reply,  Maud  came  into  the  room. 

"  Ask  Dr.  McLane  to  come  here  before  he 
leaves,"  she  directed.  "  Tell  him  that  Detective 
Ferguson  and  I  both  wish  to  see  him,"  and  Maud 
vanished.  Mrs.  Hale  settled  herself  back  in  her 
chair  and  regarded  Ferguson  attentively.  There 
was  a  bull-dog  air  about  the  detective  that  warned 
her  he  was  not  to  be  trifled  with.  In  spite  of 
her  haphazard  characteristics  and  total  lack  of 
tact,  she  recognized  determination  in  the  opposite 
sex,  though  never  giving  in  to  her  own. 

"  What  did  you  ask  me,  Mr.  Ferguson?  "  she 
inquired  sweetly. 

31 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Have  you  told  your  husband  of  the  death  of 
Austin  Hale?  "  Ferguson  put  the  direct  question 
with  quiet  emphasis,  and  she  answered  it  in  kind. 

"  I  have  not,"  adding  before  he  could  speak, 
"  My  husband  was  asleep  when  I  went  to  our 
rooms  after  my  interview  with  you  this  morning, 
and  when  he  awoke  two  hours  ago  he  complained 
of  feeling  feverish,  so  I  forbore  breaking  the 
news  to  him  until  after  Dr.  McLane's  visit." 

Ferguson  scrutinized  her  narrowly ;  he  was  not 
prepossessed  in  her  favor  and  from  the  little  he 
had  seen  of  her  wondered  that  she  should  have 
refrained  from  telling  her  husband  of  the  tragedy 
of  the  early  morning,  for  he  judged  her  to  be 
the  type  of  woman  who  must  talk  at  all  costs. 

That  she  had  not  told  her  husband  implied 

The  detective's  cogitations  were  interrupted  by 
the  entrance  of  John  Hale  and  a  companion  whom 
Ferguson  instantly  recognized  from  the  frequent 
publication  of  his  photograph  in  the  local  papers. 

Francis  Latimer,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Latimer  and  House,  stockbrokers,  was  one  of 
the  popular  bachelors  of  Washington.  Inclined 
to  embonpoint,  of  medium  height,  a  little  bald, 
and  wearing  round,  horn  spectacles,  he  resembled 
in  his  fastidiousness  of  dress  and  deportment  a 
Pickwick  in  modern  attire.  At  the  moment  his 

32 


Theories 

face,  generally  round  and  rosy  with  an  ever  pres- 
ent smile,  wore  an  unusual  seriousness  of  expres- 
sion as  he  greeted  Mrs.  Hale  and  Richards.  He 
glanced  inquiringly  at  Ferguson  and  returned 
that  official's  bow  with  a  courteous  inclination  of 
his  head. 

"  Detective  Ferguson  has  been  waiting  to  see 
you,  John,"  explained  Mrs.  Hale,  as  the  men 
stood  for  a  second  in  silence. 

Ferguson  stepped  forward.  "  You  told  me  to 
call  at  ten  o'clock,  Mr.  Hale,"  he  reminded  him, 
and  John  nodded. 

"  So  I  did,"  he  acknowledged.  "  Sorry  to  have 
kept  you  waiting,  but  I  had  to  see  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  cemetery,"  he  stopped  and  cleared 
his  voice.  "  Latimer  and  I  have  just  returned 
from  making  arrangements  for  the  funeral  serv- 
ices. Have  you,"  again  a  slight  huskiness  in  his 
usually  clear  voice  slurred  his  words,  "  have  you 
heard,  Ferguson,  the  result  of  the  autopsy?" 

"  No,  Mr.  Hale,  but  it  was  held "  Fergu- 
son looked  over  his  shoulder  on  hearing  footsteps 
behind  him  and  saw  Leonard  McLane  walk  be- 
tween the  portieres  of  the  folding  doors,  held  back 
by  the  attentive  waitress,  Anna. 

"  Dr.  McLane," —  the  detective  gave  no  one  an 
opportunity  to  greet  the  busy  surgeon  — "  you 

33 


The  Unseen  Ear 


were  present  with  Coroner  Penfield  at  the  post- 
mortem examination  of  young  Hale,  were  you 
not?" 

"Yes."  McLane  took  the  hand  Mrs.  Hale 
extended  to  him  and  gave  it  a  reassuring  squeeze ; 
he  judged  from  her  unaccustomed  pallor  that  she 
was  much  upset.  "  Yes,  well  ?  "  and  he  looked 
inquiringly  at  the  detective. 

"  Tell  us  the  result,  doctor,"  urged  Ferguson, 
and  added  as  McLane  hesitated,  "  You  will  be 
betraying  no  confidences,  because  the  coroner  tele- 
phoned me  to  stop  and  see  him  about  it  when  I 
leave  here." 

"  Go  ahead,  McLane,"  broke  in  John  Hale. 
"  I  am  entitled  to  know  what  caused  Austin's 
death  —  don't  keep  me  in  suspense  any  longer," 
and  McLane,  looking  at  him  closely,  saw  that  tiny 
beads  of  sweat  had  gathered  on  Hale's  fore- 
head. 

John  Hale,  who  measured  six  feet  two  in  his 
stocking  feet,  presented  a  striking  contrast  to 
Frank  Latimer  as  they  stood  side  by  side,  a  con- 
trast Washington  society  had  laughed  at  and 
grown  accustomed  to.  Their  Damon  and  Pythias 
friendship  had  commenced  when  they  were  stu- 
dents at  Harvard  University  and,  continued 
through  the  years  of  their  separation  when  John 

34 


Theories 

Hale  was  in  Mexico,  was  cemented  again  upon  the 
latter's  return  to  make  his  home  permanently  in 
the  National  Capital.  Hale  was  the  elder  by  two 
years.  His  healthy  out-of-door  life  showed  in 
the  breadth  of  his  shoulders  and  deep  chest,  and  he 
was  seldom  credited  with  being  forty-seven  years 
of  age.  For  the  first  time  McLane  became  aware 
of  the  crow's-feet  discernible  under  his  eyes  as 
John  Hale  moved  nearer  him. 

"  Coroner  Penfield's  examination,"  McLane 
stated,  "  proved  that  Austin  died  as  the  result  of 
a  wound  in  the  chest.  The  weapon  penetrated 
the  right  ventricle  of  the  heart,  and  death  was 
due  to  internal  hemorrhage." 

A  heavy  sob  broke  from  Mrs.  Hale.  "  Oh, 
poor  Austin !  "  she  lamented.  "  Oh,  why  did  he 
do  so  mad  an  act  ?  " 

"  Explain  your  meaning,  madam,"  insisted 
Ferguson  quickly,  and  held  up  a  cautioning  hand 
as  John  Hale  was  about  to  interrupt  her. 

"Why,  kill  himself,"  asserted  Mrs.  Hale. 
"  To  commit  suicide  is  a  mad  act,"  she  added  a 
trifle  defiantly  and  gazed  at  her  silent  companions. 

"  Was  the  wound  self-inflicted,  doctor?  "  ques- 
tioned Ferguson,  and  Mrs.  Hale  grew  conscious 
of  the  strained  attention  of  her  companions  as 
they  waited  in  silence  for  McLane's  answer. 

35 


The  Unseen  Ear 


The  surgeon  answered  with  a  question. 

"  Was  any  weapon  found  by  the  body  ?  " 

Ferguson  took  from  his  pocket  a  package 
wrapped  in  oilskin.  Removing  the  wrapping,  he 
exhibited  a  pair  of  long  slender  shears.  One 
blade  was  covered  with  bloodstains. 

"  These  shears  were  lying  near  the  body,"  he 
announced. 

"  And  under  a  rug,"  Richards  broke  his  long 
silence.  "  I  distinctly  recall  seeing  you  pick  them 
up,  Ferguson,  and  remember  the  position  they 
were  in  when  you  found  them." 

'*  They  were  not  under  a  rug,"  retorted  Fergu- 
son. "  The  edge  of  the  rug  was  turned  back  and 
covered  them.  Don't  touch  the  steel,  sir," —  as 
Richards  stepped  to  his  side  and  studied  the 
shears  — "  I've  had  impressions  made  for  possible 
finger  marks.  You  haven't  answered  my  ques- 
tion, doctor ;  was  it  suicide  ?  " 

"  Possibly." 

"  But  not  probably  ?  "  quickly. 

"  Have  a  care,  Ferguson."  Richards  spoke 
with  sternness.  "  Don't  impute  a  meaning  to 
Dr.  McLane's  words;  let  him  put  his  own  con- 
struction on  them."  Abruptly  he  turned  to  the 
surgeon.  "  Could  the  wound  have  been  acci- 
dentally inflicted  ?  " 

36 


Theories 

McLane  stared  at  him.  "  I  don't  quite  catch 
your  meaning?  " 

"  Could  Austin  have  tripped  or  stumbled  and 
fallen  on  the  shears?  " 

"  He  could  have  tripped  or  stumbled,  certainly ; 
but  if  he  had  fallen  on  the  shears  both  blades 
would  have  penetrated  his  chest — "  McLane 
pointed  to  them.  "  Only  one  blade  is  blood- 
stained." 

"  Quite  sure  they  are  bloodstains  and  not 
rust?"  As  he  put  the  question,  Richards  again 
scrutinized  the  shears. 

Ferguson  smiled  skeptically.  "  The  stains  have 
already  been  subjected  to  chemical  tests,"  he  said. 
"  It  is  human  blood.  Another  thing,  Major,  if 
Austin  Hale  fell  on  these  shears  and,  improbable 
as  it  may  seem,  was  stabbed  by  only  one  blade, 
that  blade  would  have  remained  in  the  wound, 
would  it  not,  doctor?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Then  we  can  dismiss  the  theory  of  accidental 
death,"  argued  Ferguson,  "  and  there  remain 
homicide  or  suicide.  Come,  doctor,  could  Austin 
have  pulled  out  the  shears'  blade  after  stabbing 
himself?" 

McLane  shook  his  head  dubiously.  "  Death 
resulted  almost  instantaneously,"  he  answered. 

37 


The  Unseen  Ear 


Richards,  who  had  thrust  his  hands  into  his 
trousers'  pockets,  clenched  them  until  the  nails 
dug  into  the  flesh,  while  Detective  Ferguson,  with 
a  covert  smile,  rolled  up  the  shears  once  again  in 
the  piece  of  oilskin  and  replaced  them  in  his 
pocket. 

"  Suicide  is  then  out  of  the  question,"  he  com- 
mented gravely.  "  It  leaves  us  face  to  face  with 
homicide.  What  motive  inspired  Austin  Hale's 
murder,  gentlemen  ?  " 

A  low  moan  escaped  Mrs.  Hale.  "  There 
could  be  no  motive,"  she  stammered.  "  Austin 
had  no  enemies,  and  this  was  his  home;  he  was 
surrounded  only  with  relatives " 

"  And  he  was  murdered,"  Ferguson's  lips  parted 
in  a  dangerous  smile,  as  he  swung  on  John  Hale. 
"  Come,  sir,  have  you  no  facts  to  disclose,  no 
aid  to  offer  in  tracking  down  your  son's  mur- 
der?" 

John  Hale  regarded  him  for  a  moment  in  grim 
silence. 

"  I  give  you  a  free  hand  to  follow  every  clew," 
he  affirmed,  "  and  offer  a  reward  of  five  thousand 
dollars  for  the  apprehension  and  conviction  of 
his  murderer." 

Detective  Ferguson  buttoned  his  coat  and 
picked  up  his  hat  which  he  had  brought  with 

38 


Theories 

him  into  the  drawing-room;  then  he  turned  to 
McLane. 

"  Can  I  see  your  patient,  Mr.  Robert  Hale?" 
he  asked. 

"  Not  now."  McLane  addressed  Mrs.  Hale. 
"  I  have  given  your  husband  a  sedative,"  he  said. 
"  Keep  all  excitement  from  him  when  he  awakens ; 
I  will  call  later." 

"  But  see  here,  doctor,"  objected  Ferguson,  "  I 
must  -interview  Mr.  Hale,"  and  in  his  earnestness 
he  laid  a  persuasive  hand  on  the  surgeon's  coat 
sleeve. 

"  So  you  can,  shortly,"  answered  McLane. 
"  Come  with  me,  Ferguson,  I'll  take  you  to  the 
coroner's,"  and  there  was  that  about  McLane 
which  deterred  the  detective  from  pressing  the 
point.  With  a  bow  to  the  others  McLane  hurried 
away,  Ferguson  in  his  wake.  Mrs.  Hale  gazed 
in  dead  silence  at  her  three  companions,  then 
found  relief  in  tears. 

"  Hush,  Agatha,"  exclaimed  her  brother-in- 
law,  as  her  sobs  grew  in  volume,  "  Calm  your- 
self." 

John  Hale's  strong  voice  carried  some  comfort, 

and  she  looked  up  a  few  minutes  later  as  the  gong 

over  the  front  door  rang  loudly.     Through  her 

tear-dimmed  eyes  she  had  a  fleeting  glimpse  of  a 

39 


The  Unseen  Ear 


familiar,  slender  figure  hurrying  past  the  portieres 
aftid  through  the  central  hall  to  the  circular  stair- 
case. Mrs.  Male's  tears  burst  out  afresh. 

"Oh!"  she  gasped.  "I  just  can't  break  the 
news  of  Austin's  death  to  Polly  Davis  —  they 
were  engaged " 

"  You  don't  know  what  you  are  talkiifg 
about ! "  John  Hale  spoke  with  rough  vehe- 
mence. "  Polly  and  Austin  were  not  engaged," 
and  turning  on  his  heel  he  stamped  his  way  out 
of  the  drawing-room. 

Mrs.  Hale  gazed  in  bewilderment  at  Richards 
and  Latimer;  the  former  answered  her  unspoken 
question. 

"Weren't  you  aware  of  the  situation?"  he 
asked,  and  there  was  mockery  in  his  tone.  "  John 
Hale  and  Austin,  his  stepson,  were  both  madly  in 
love  with  Polly  —  your  husband's  secretary." 


CHAPTER  IV 
LOST:    A  MEMORANDUM 

ANNA,  the  waitress,  took  one  more  com- 
prehensive   look    around    the    prettily 
furnished  boudoir  to  make  sure  that  she 
had  not  overlooked  the  sugar  bowl;  it  was  cer- 
tainly nowhere  in  sight.     Anna  paused  on  her 
way  to  the   door  leading  to  Judith's  bedroom, 
turned  back  and,  picking  up  the  breakfast  tray, 
departed  to  her  domain  below  stairs. 

Judith,  totally  unaware  that  she  had  disturbed 
her  mother's  excellent  waitress  by  walking  off 
in  a  moment  of  absent-mindedness  with  the  sugar 
bowl,  saw  reflected  in  her  long  cheval  glass  the 
closing  of  the  boudoir  door,  and  crossing  her  bed- 
room, made  certain,  by  a  peep  inside,  that  Anna 
had  gone.  With  a  quick  turn  of  her  wrist  she 
shut  the  door  and  locked  it  The  suite  which  she 
and  her  husband  occupied  consisted  of  three 
rooms,  the  boudoir,  their  bedroom,  and  beyond 
that  a  large  dressing  room  and  bath.  There  was 
but  one  entrance  to  the  suite  —  by  way  of  the 
41 


The  Unseen  Ear 


boudoir,  which  rendered  their  quarters  absolutely 
private. 

Judith  perched  herself  on  one  of  the  twin  beds, 
and,  feeling  underneath  her  pillow,  pulled  out  a 
gold  locket  from  which  dangled  the  broken  link 
of  a  gold  chain.  There  was  nothing  extraordi- 
nary in  the  appearance  of  the  locket,  nothing  to 
distinguish  it  from  many  other  such  ornaments, 
yet  it  held  Judith's  gaze  with  the  power  of  a 
snake-charmer.  Twice  she  looked  away  from  it, 
twice  dropped  it  under  the  folds  of  the  tossed 
back  bedclothes,  only  to  pick  it  up  each  time  and 
tip  it  this  way  and  that  in  the  pink  palm  of  her 
hand.  Three  times  she  crooked  her  fingers  over 
the  spring,  but  the  pressure  needed  to  open  the 
locket  was  not  forthcoming. 

Suddenly  Judith  raised  her  eyes  and  scanned 
the  bedroom  —  the  glass-topped  dressing  table 
with  its  tortoise-shell,  gold-initialed  toilet  set ;  the 
tall  chiffonnier  on  which  lay  her  husband's  mili- 
tary hair  brushes  and  a  framed  photograph  of 
Judith;  the  chaise  longue  with  its  numerous  soft 
pillows,  the  comfortable  chairs  —  Judith  passed 
them  over  with  scant  attention,  and  gazed  at  the 
pictures  on  the  walls,  the  draperies  over  the  bow 
window  and  its  broad  seat,  which  added  much  to 
the  attractiveness  of  her  room,  and  lastly  at  a 

42 


Lost:  A  Memorandum 


small  leather  box  resembling  a  Kodak.  The  box 
was  perched  precariously  near  the  edge  of  the 
mantel  shelf.  Judith  walked  over  to  it,  jerked  up 
the  clasps  and  lifted  the  lid.  She  pushed  aside 
the  contents  of  the  box  and  placed  the  locket  un- 
derneath several  coils  of  wire,  then  closing  the 
box,  set  it  behind  the  mantel  clock.  An  inspec- 
tion of  the  dial  showed  her  that  the  hour  hand  was 
about  to  register  ten  o'clock. 

The  next  moment  Judith  was  seated  before  her 
dressing  table  and  unbraiding  her  hair.  It 
fell  in  a  shower  about  her  shoulders,  the  winter 
sunshine  picking  out  the  hidden  strains  of  gold 
in  its  rich  chestnut.  A  deep,  deep  sigh  escaped 
Judith  as  she  stared  at  her  reflection  in  the  mir- 
ror. It  was  a  very  lovely  face  that  confronted 
her,  not  one  to  call  forth  a  sigh  from  the  ob- 
server. The  delicately  arched  eyebrows,  the  ten- 
der, sensitive  mouth,  the  brilliancy  of  the  deep 
blue  eyes  —  but  enhanced  by  the  shadows  under- 
neath them, —  the  long  lashes,  and  the  small 
shapely  head  all  combined  to  win  for  Judith  the 
title  of  "  belle  "  when  introduced  three  years  be- 
fore to  Washington  society. 

Judith's  popularity  had  been  a  matter  of  un- 
bounded gratification  to  her  mother,  whose  ambi- 
tion for  a  titled  son-in-law  was  thereby  encour- 
43 


The  Unseen  Ear 


aged  and  dinned  into  her  husband's  ears,  to  his 
intense  disgust,  but  in  spite  of  his  gruff  reception 
of  her  suggestions,  Robert  Hale  had  seen  to  it 
that  only  the  most  eligible  bachelors  were  invited 
to  their  home.  Judith  had  signally  failed  to  en- 
courage any  one  of  her  many  attentive  cavaliers, 
and  when  taken  to  task  by  her  mother,  had  re- 
sponded that  no  man  should  be  handicapped  by  a 
deaf  wife  and  that  she  did  not  intend  to  marry;  a 
statement  which,  in  its  quiet  determination,  had 
staggered  her  mother. 

Judith  had  thrown  herself  heart  and  soul  into 
war  work,  and  though  not  accepted  for  service 
overseas  on  account  of  her  deafness,  she  had  won, 
through  her  efficiency  and  knowledge  of  lan- 
guages, a  position  in  the  Department  of  State 
carrying  great  responsibilities,  and  she  had  retired 
from  it,  after  the  Armistice,  with  the  commenda- 
tion of  the  Department's  highest  officials. 

The  hard  work,  the  long  hours,  and  the  close 
confinement  indoors  to  one  accustomed,  as  Judith 
had  been,  to  a  life  in  the  open,  had  resulted  in  a 
nervous  collapse,  and  Doctor  McLane,  their  fam- 
ily physician,  had  advised  a  complete  change  of 
environment.  The  medical  dictum  had  come  on 
the  heels  of  a  letter  from  the  United  States 
Consul  at  Tokio  and  his  wife,  asking  Judith  to 

44 


Lost:  A  Memorandum 


make  them  a  long  promised  visit,  and  within 
forty-eight  hours  all  details  of  her  trip  across  the 
continent  with  friends  returning  to  their  home  in 
San  Francisco  after  two  years'  war  work  in 
Washington,  had  been  arranged,  and  a  cable  was 
sent  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noyes  in  Tokio,  notifying 
them  to  expect  Judith  on  the  next  steamer. 

And  in  Tokio,  two  weeks  after  her  arrival, 
Judith  had  met  Joseph  Richards,  major  of  the 
— th  Regiment,  invalided  home  from  arduous 
service  in  Siberia  with  the  A.  E.  F.,  and  bearing 
on  his  broad  breast  ribbons  denoting  Russian, 
Japanese,  and  British  decorations  awarded  for 
valor. 

Richards  had  received  a  warm  welcome  in  the 
Noyes'  home,  and  his  hostess,  a  born  matchmaker, 
was  quick  to  observe  his  infatuation  for  Judith, 
and  did  everything  within  her  power  to  aid  his 
courtship. 

Judith  strove  to  steel  her  heart  to  his  ardent 
pleading,  but  all  to  no  purpose  —  youth  called  to 
youth  in  a  language  familiar  to  every  age,  and  in 
the  romantic  background  of  the  Land  of  the 
Chrysanthemum  they  pledged  their  troth.  A 
week  later  they  were  married  in  the  American 
Consulate  by  a  United  States  Navy  chaplain,  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noyes,  looking  backward  over  their 


The  Unseen  Ear 


own  well-ordered  wedded  life,  wished  them  God- 
speed on  their  road  to  happiness. 

Happy  days  had  followed,  happier  than  any 
Judith  had  known,  for  in  spite  of  her  brave  at- 
tempt to  ignore  her  deafness  and  to  show  only  a 
contented  front  to  the  world,  that  very  deafness 
had  built  a  barrier  of  reserve  which  even  Judith's 
parents  had  never  penetrated.  But  Richards, 
whose  deep  love  was  a  guide  to  a  sympathetic 
understanding  of  her  shy  and  sensitive  nature, 
gained  a  devotion  almost  akin  to  worship  as  the 
days  sped  on,  and  then  came  the  summons  home. 

With  a  faint  shiver  Judith  straightened  herself 
in  her  chair,  put  down  her  hair  brush  and  took  up 
the  slender  wire  (in  shape  like  those  worn  by 
telephone  operators,  but  much  lighter  and  nar- 
rower) attached  to  the  earpiece  of  the  "  globia- 
phone,"  and  slipped  it  over  her  head.  It  took 
but  a  second  to  adjust  the  earpiece,  and  with  deft 
fingers  she  dressed  her  hair  low  on  her  neck  and 
covering  her  ears.  The  style  was  not  only  ex- 
tremely becoming,  but  completely  hid  the  little 
instrument  held  so  snugly  against  her  ear.  It 
took  but  a  moment  to  complete  her  dressing,  and 
slipping  the  small  battery  of  the  "  globia-phone  " 
inside  her  belt,  she  adjusted  the  lace  jabot  so  that 
its  soft  folds  concealed  but  did  not  obscure  the 

46 


Lost:  A  Memorandum 


sound-gathering  part  of  the  earphone,  and  with 
one  final  look  in  the  glass  to  make  sure  that  her 
becoming  costume  fitted  perfectly,  she  turned 
away  just  as  a  loud  knock  sounded  on  the  boudoir 
door.  Judith  laid  her  hand  involuntarily  on  the 
back  of  her  chair,  then,  squaring  her  shoulders, 
she  walked  across  the  room  and  unlocked  the  door 
and  faced  her  father's  secretary. 

"Polly!"  The  ejaculation  was  low-spoken 
and  Judith  cast  one  searching  look  about  the  bou- 
doir before  pulling  the  girl  inside  her  bedroom 
and  closing  the  door.  "  Have  you  just  come  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  came  right  up  here."  Polly  Davis, 
conscious  that  her  knees  were  treacherously  weak, 
sank  into  the  nearest  chair,  and  Judith,  in  the  un- 
compromising glare  of  the  morning  sunlight,  saw 
in  the  girl's  upturned  face  the  haggard  lines  which 
care  had  brought  overnight.  Judith  dropped  on 
her  knees  beside  Polly  and  threw  her  arm  pro- 
tectingly  about  her.  They  had  been  classmates 
at  a  fashionable  private  school  until  the  death  of 
Polly's  father  had  brought  retrenchment  and, 
later,  painful  economies  in  its  wake,  so  that  she 
was  obliged  to  forsake  her  lessons  for  a  clerk- 
ship. 

The  change  from  affluence  to  poverty  had  pro- 
duced no  alteration  in  the  affection  the  two  girls 
47 


The  Unseen  Ear 


bore  each  other,  an  affection  on  Judith's  part  tem- 
pered with  responsibility,  as  Polly,  her  junior  by 
a  few  months,  came  frequently  to  her  for  advice 
—  which  she  seldom  if  ever  followed.  Polly's 
contact  with  the  world  had  borne  fruit  in  an  em- 
bittered outlook  on  life  which  in  some  degree 
alienated  her  from  her  former  friends,  and  she 
had  turned  to  Judith  with  the  heart-hunger  of  a 
nature  thrown  upon  itself  for  woman's  compan- 
ionship. Polly's  dainty  blond  beauty  and  bright 
vivacity  had  gained  her  lasting  popularity  with 
men,  but  with  her  own  sex  she  was  generally 
classed  as  "  catty." 

'  Judith  was  the  first  to  speak.  "  Polly  —  what 
can  I  say?"  she  stammered.  "How  comfort 
you?" 

For  answer  the  yellow  head  was  dropped  on 
Judith's  shoulder  and  dry,  tearless  sobs  racked 
her  slender  body. 

"Hush!  Hush!"  exclaimed  Judith,  alarmed 
by  her  agony.  "  Polly,  Polly,  remember " 

"Remember!"  Polly  sat  up  as  if  stabbed. 
"  Oh,  if  I  could  only  forget!  "  A  violent  shud- 
der shook  her.  Regaining  her  composure  by  de- 
grees, she  finally  straightened  up.  "  There,  the 
storm  is  over,"  and  she  dashed  her  hand  across 
her  eyes.  "  Never  allude  to  this  again  —  prom- 

48 


Lost:  A  Memorandum 


ise  me."  She  spoke  with  vehemence,  and  Judith 
laid  a  quieting  hand  on  hers. 

"  I  give  you  my  word  never  to  speak  of  the 
subject,"  she  pledged. 

"  Not  even  to  your  husband  ?  " 

"  No,  not  even  to  Joe."  Her  answer,  although 
prompt,  held  a  note  of  reluctance. 

Polly's  smile  was  twisted.  Opening  her  vanity 
box,  she  inspected  her  face  in  its  tiny  mirror.  A 
faint  shriek  escaped  her. 

"I'm  a  fright!"  she  ejaculated,  and  rising, 
went  over  to  Judith's  dressing  table  and  proceeded 
to  powder  her  nose.  Drawing  out  a  box  of 
rouge,  Polly  applied  some  of  it  to  her  cheeks. 
"  There,  that's  better."  She  turned  briskly  and 
looked  at  Judith.  "  Do  you  think  your  father 
will  discover  it  is  not  natural  bloom  ?  "  she  asked 
flippantly. 

Judith's  answer  was  a  stare;  Polly's  transition 
from  grief  to  pert  nonchalance  was  startling. 

"  Father  is  not  very  well,"  she  replied  slowly. 
"  Joe  went  to  inquire  for  him  just  before  break- 
fast was  announced,  and  Mother  said  he  was 
asleep  and  could  not  be  disturbed." 

Polly  contemplated  herself  in  the  mirror.  "  I 
am  sorry,"  she  remarked,  but  her  tone  was  per- 
functory and  a  brief  silence  followed.  "  Gra- 
49 


The  Unseen  Ear 


cious,  it  is  nearly  eleven  o'clock.  Judith,  I  must 
fly;  for  your  father  left  a  pile  of  correspondence 
in  the  den " 

"  Wait,  Polly."  Judith,  who  had  followed  her 
across  the  bedroom,  laid  her  hand  against  the 
door.  "  There  is  a  question  you  must  answer. 
Were  you  —  did  you,"  she  stumbled  in  her 
speech,  "  did  you  know  that  Austin  was  to  return 
here  last  night?  " 

The  rouge  on  Polly's  cheeks  showed  up  plainly 
against  the  dead  whiteness  of  her  skin. 

"  I  fail  to  see  what  business  it  is  of  yours 
if  I  knew  or  did  not  know  of  Austin's  contem- 
plated return,"  she  replied,  and  before  Judith 
guessed  her  intention  she  had  slipped  under  her 
arm  and  bolted  through  the  boudoir  into  the  hall, 
leaving  Judith  staring  after  her. 

The  thick  carpet  deadened  Polly's  flying  foot- 
steps as  she  hurried  to  the  den,  a  room  set  aside 
for  Robert  Hale's  exclusive  use.  It  adjoined  his 
bedroom,  and  there  the  scientist  spent  many  hours 
going  carefully  over  his  manuscripts  and  statisti- 
cal research  work.  It  was  in  one  sense  a  labor 
of  love  for,  thanks  to  the  timely  death  of  a  rela- 
tive, he  had  inherited  a  large  estate  which  brought 
in  its  train  a  handsome  income;  he  was,  therefore, 
not  dependent  upon  a  salaried  position  and  could 

50 


Lost:  A  Memorandum 


indulge  his  whims  and  vagaries.  And  these  same 
whims  and  vagaries  had,  mingled  with  an  un- 
bridled temper,  made  the  post  of  secretary  to  the 
eminent  scientist  no  sinecure.  Polly  Davis  had 
secured  the  position  through  Judith's  influence, 
and  she  had  remained  longer  than  the  majority 
of  her  predecessors,  a  fact  which  had  won  sar- 
castic comments  from  Robert  Hale  and  —  noth- 
ing more. 

Polly  paused  on  reaching  the  middle  of  the  den 
and  stared  at  the  man  seated  with  his  back  to 
her,  bending  over  Robert  Hale's  flat-topped  desk. 
With  infinite  care  he  went  over  paper  after  paper, 
and  as  he  lifted  his  hands  Polly  saw  that  he  was 
wearing  rubber  gloves.  With  the  instinct  which 
seems  to  warn  of  another's  presence,  he  partly 
turned  in  his  chair  and  gazed  at  the  motionless 
figure  behind  him.  A  constrained  silence  fol- 
lowed, which  John  Hale  was  the  first  to  break. 

"  Why  did  you  not  go  to  Baltimore  ? "  he 
asked. 

Her  reply  was  slow  in  coming. 

"  I  have  altered  my  plans,"  she  stated,  and, 
crossing  to  her  own  desk,  she  dropped  into  the 
revolving  chair  standing  before  it. 

John  Hale  watched  her  for  an  instant,  and  not 
a  detail  of  her  appearance  escaped  him.  There 


Tke  Unseen  Ear 


was  an  ominous  tightening  of  his  lips,  and  he 
lowered  his  gaze  that  she  might  not  read  its  tell- 
tale message.  Without  further  comment  he  re- 
moved his  gloves,  rolled  them  into  a  ball  and 
stuffed  them  in  his  pocket.  In  the  lengthening 
silence  Polly's  eyes  strayed  to  a  pile  of  papers  and 
she  swung  the  typewriter  on  its  iron  supporting- 
frame,  which  was  attached  to  her  desk,  toward 
her. 

"  Pardon  me  if  I  go  on  with  my  work."  Her 
voice  was  cold  and  formal.  Slowly  John  Hale 
rose  to  his  feet,  and  the  bigness  of  the  man  filled 
the  small  room.  Polly  looked  only  at  her  type- 
writer. 

"  I  am  sorry  I  detained  you."  His  voice 
matched  hers  in  tone  and  quality. 

Polly  raised  her  eyes  and  contemplated  him. 
"  Did  you  find  what  you  were  looking  for  in 
your  brother's  desk,  Mr.  Hale?  "  she  inquired. 

Hale's  answer  was  indirect.  "  Mr.  Hale,"  he 
repeated.  "  Why  not  —  John  ?  " 

"  No." 

The  finality  of  the  monosyllable  brought  an 
angry  flush  to  John  Hale's  bronzed  cheeks,  and 
without  another  word  he  swung  on  his  heel,  only 
to  pause  at  the  door  and  again  address  her. 

"  Austin's  funeral  will  take  place  to-morrow," 
52 


Lost:  A  Memorandum 


he  announced,  and  the  next  second  he  was  gone. 

Many  minutes  passed  before  Polly  moved,  then 
rising,  she  walked  over  to  Robert  Male's  desk  and 
went  feverishly  through  his  drawers,  one  question 
uppermost  in  her  mind  —  what  had  John  Hale 
been  looking  for?  She  had  about  completed  her 
self-imposed  task  when  a  voice  over  her  shoulder 
caused  her  to  catch  her  breath. 

"  Why  are  you  searching  among  my  husband's 
papers  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Hale. 

Polly  swung  around  in  Robert  Hale's  comfort- 
able chair. 

"  How  you  startled  me!  "  she  confessed,  with 
a  faint  tinkling  laugh,  a  laugh  which  had  irritated 
Mrs.  Hale  in  the  past.  "  Dear  Mrs.  Hale,  how 
noiselessly  you  move." 

"Do  I?"  tartly. 

"  I  never  heard  you  enter  the  room."  Polly 
moved  back  to  her  own  desk.  "  Your  husband 
must  find  you  a  perfect  treasure  when  you  are  at- 
tending him  during  his  illness." 

Mrs.  Hale  flushed  and  promptly  forgot  to  utter 
the  sympathetic  platitudes  she  had  prepared  when 
on  her  way  to  find  Polly.  Austin  Hale  ever  en- 
gaged to  such  a  chit  of  a  girl?  The  idea  was 
unbelievable.  And  John,  her  staid,  solemn 
brother-in-law,  in  love  with  her!  Mrs.  Hale 

53 


The  Unseen  Etir 


snorted.  Joe  Richards  should  be  given  a  piece 
of  her  mind  for  putting  such  ideas  in  her  head; 
she  would  even  speak  to  Judith  about  it. 

"  Why  were  you  going  through  my  husband's 
papers  ?  "  she  asked,  and  her  manner  in  putting 
the  question  was  anything  but  agreeable.  "  I  in- 
sist upon  an  answer." 

Polly's  eyes  opened  innocently.  "  Surely,  Mrs. 
Hale,  the  matter  is  not  secret.  I  was  looking  for 
a  memorandum  which  your  husband  left  for  me. 
It  was  about  so  square," —  demonstrating  with 
her  fingers, — "  on  yellowish  paper." 

Polly,  when  moving  her  hands,  dislodged  a 
package  of  papers  and  they  fell  to  the  floor.  In 
stooping  to  pick  them  up,  she  missed  seeing  Mrs. 
Hale's  quick  start  and  sudden  change  of  color. 
When  she  raised  her  head,  she  found  Mrs.  Hale's 
cold  blue  eyes  were  regarding  her  with  disconcert- 
ing intensity. 

"  Was  John  in  here  a  moment  ago  ?  "  she  asked, 
and  Polly  was  conscious  of  flushing  hotly;  the 
question  was  unexpected. 

"Didn't  you  see  him  leave,  Mrs.  Hale?"  she 
asked  sweetly,  and  this  time  it  was  Mrs.  Hale  who 
flushed.  There  were  occasions  when  she  actively 
disliked  her  husband's  accomplished  secretary. 

"  I  met  him  in  the  hall,"  she  explained  coldly. 
54 


Lost:  A  Memorandum 


"  But  I  was  not  sure  whether  he  had  just  left 
here  or  my  husband's  bedroom.  Please  remem- 
ber, Polly,  that  Mr.  Hale  is  ill  and  that  the  sound 
of  your  typewriter  carries  into  the  next  room." 

"  In  that  case  " —  Polly  drew  her  chair  closer 
to  her  desk  with  a  businesslike  air  and  picked  up 
her  pen  — "  I  will  write  answers  in  long  hand  to 
these  business  communications,  unless  you  wish 
something  further  " —  and  she  waited  in  polite 
expectancy. 

"  I  want  nothing  " —  Mrs.  Hale  drew  herself 
up.  "  Kindly  make  as  little  noise  as  possible, 
Polly.  Above  all,  don't  let  that  telephone  ring," 
pointing  to  the  instrument  which  stood  almost  at 
the  girl's  elbow. 

"  I  shall  be  as  quiet  as  possible,"  Polly  prom- 
ised, and  Mrs.  Hale,  satisfied  that  she  had  made 
Polly  understand  that  she  was  capable  of  issuing 
orders  in  her  husband's  absence,  walked  toward 
the  hall  door.  Polly's  voice  halted  her  as  she 
was  on  the  point  of  leaving  the  room. 

"  Is  Mr.  Hale  very  ill  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  No,  oh,  no,"  Mrs.  Hale  spoke  with  positive- 
ness.  "  But  Dr.  McLane  said  that  he  was  under 
the  effects  of  a  sedative.  I  was  in  our  bedroom 
a  moment  ago  and  Robert  was  sound  asleep. 
Polly," —  she  hesitated  and  fingered  her  hand  bag 

55 


The  Unseen  Ear 


— "  if  you  come  across  a  memorandum  bearing 
my  name,  be  sure  to  let  me  see  it,"  and  with  a 
whisk  of  her  skirts  she  hastened  away. 

Polly  stared  at  the  highly  glazed  surface  of 
Robert  Male's  expensive  stationery  and  then  at 
her  penholder.  Suddenly  she  pitched  the  latter 
from  her  and,  rising,  methodically  searched  the 
entire  room,  taking  care  that  her  movements  made 
no  noise. 

In  his  comfortable  four-post  bed  in  the  dark- 
ened room  adjoining  his  den,  Robert  Hale  smiled 
to  himself  as  he  dragged  the  eider-down  quilt  up 
about  his  ears  and  lay  still.  His  daughter  Judith 
had  not  inherited  his  acute  hearing. 


CHAPTER  V 
MORE  THEORIES 

RAIN  and  snow  followed  by  sleet  had 
reduced  the  traffic  in  the  streets  of  the 
Capital  City  to  venturesome  taxicabs 
and  occasional  delivery  cars.  Few  Washington- 
ians,  not  required  by  necessity  to  venture  out  of 
doors,  were  so  unwise  as  to  risk  a  fall  on  the 
slippery  pavements,  and  the  generally  gay  thor- 
oughfares of  the  fashionable  Northwest  were  de- 
serted. Weather-forecasters  had  announced  in 
the  morning  press  that  a  decade  had  passed  since 
such  a  combination  of  ice  and  sleet  had  visited 
the  city  so  late  in  the  winter. 

The  small  procession  of  automobiles  returning 
from  Oak  Hill  Cemetery  coasted  its  way  with 
care  down  the  steep  hills  of  Georgetown  and  along 
the  ice-covered  asphalt.  John  Hale,  the  occupant 
of  the  foremost  car,  pulled  out  his  handkerchief 
and  mopped  his  face,  which,  in  spite  of  the  biting- 
north  wind  and  the  zero  weather,  was  damp  with 
perspiration. 

57 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Thank  God !  "  he  muttered  rather  than  spoke. 
"  That  is  over."  He  turned  and  scowled  at  his 
companion.  "  Well,  Frank,  haven't  you  any- 
thing to  say?  " 

Frank  Latimer,  who  had  been  studying  his 
friend  in  silence,  roused  himself. 

It  was  a  trying  ordeal,"  he  remarked  gravely, 
"  and  like  you,  I  am  relieved  that  the  funeral  is 
over.  Poor  Austin !  " 

John  Hale  winced.  "  Don't !  "  he  exclaimed. 
"  Suppose  we  leave  the  —  the  laments  to  my  sis- 
ter-in-law, Agatha." 

Latimer  nodded  sympathetically.  "  She  made 
an  exhibition  of  herself  in  the  chapel,"  he  ac- 
knowledged. "  I  had  no  idea  that  she  was  so 
attached  to  Austin.  In  fact," —  Latimer  lowered 
his  voice  to  confidential  tones  — "  I've  always  un- 
derstood that  she  opposed  a  marriage  between 
Judith  and  Austin." 

"  And  quite  rightly,"  Hale's  voice  rang  out 
sharply.  "  Judith  is  a  splendid  type  of  young 
womanhood,  while "  He  checked  his  impet- 
uous speech.  "  I  opposed  the  match,  also." 

"  So  I  recall."  Latimer  offered  his  cigarette 
case  to  his  friend.  His  chubby  face  wore  a 
troubled  expression.  "  Agatha  Hale  is  a  bit  of  a 
trial,  old  man;  let's  forget  her." 

58 


More  Theories 


"  I  wish  I  could,"  with  gloomy  fervor.  "  Why 
Robert  ever  picked  out  such  a  piece  of  contrari- 
ness I  never  could  understand ;  one  moment  your 
friend,  the  next  against  you  —  and  emotional !  " 

His  tone  spoke  volumes.  "  While  Robert " 

He  smiled  wryly  and  Latimer  finished  the  sen- 
tence. 

"  Is  the  most  unemotional  of  men,"  he  agreed. 
"  Judith  is  more  like  you,  John,  than  like  either 
of  her  parents." 

Hale  moved  uneasily  and  changed  the  conver- 
sation with  some  abruptness  as  the  car  drove  up 
to  the  curb  and  stopped  before  his  brother's  resi- 
dence. 

"  I'm  much  obliged  to  you,  Frank,  for  bringing 
me  home,"  he  said,  preparing  to  spring  out  as 
the  chauffeur  opened  the  door.  "  I  don't  think  I 
could  have  stood  driving  back  in  the  same  car  with 
Agatha  and  Judith.  Won't  you  come  in  with 
me?" 

"  I  can't,  thanks ;  I  have  an  appointment,"  Lati- 
mer responded.  "  I'll  see  you  later  perhaps  at 
the  club.  Eh,  what  the " 

The  ejaculation  was  wrung  from  him  by  John 
Hale's  sudden  clutch  on  his  arm  and  before  he 
quite  realized  what  was  happening  he  found  him- 
self propelled  out  of  the  car.  Once  on  the  side- 

59 


The  Unseen  Ear 


walk  the  little  stockbroker  turned  to  his  big  com- 
panion in  wrathful  bewilderment.  The  explana- 
tion John  Hale  offered  for  his  precipitous  action 
was  given  under  his  breath,  and  Jackson,  the 
chauffeur,  failed  to  hear  it  as  he  climbed  back  in 
his  seat  and,  obedient  to  a  signal  from  his  em- 
ployer, shut  off  his  engine. 

"  That  damn  bounder  from  Police  Headquar- 
ters is  waiting  for  an  interview,  Frank."  John 
Hale  indicated  one  of  the  library  windows  over- 
looking the  street  where  Latimer  saw  a  man  peer- 
ing out  from  behind  the  curtains.  "  I  had  en- 
tirely forgotten  that  Detective  Ferguson  tele- 
phoned and  asked  me  to  see  him  this  afternoon. 
I  want  you  to  be  present." 

The  urgency  of  his  tone  silenced  Latimer's 
objections,  and  without  a  word  he  accompanied 
him  into  the  house,  Anna,  the  waitress,  holding 
the  front  door  hospitably  open  for  them.  Al- 
most tossing  his  fur-lined  overcoat  and  hat  into 
the  servant's  arms,  John  Hale  strode  at  once  into 
the  library,  and  Latimer,  pausing  only  long 
enough  to  put  down  his  hat  and  cane  on  the  hall 
table,  followed  him,  forgetting  in  his  interest  that 
lie  had  not  removed  his  overcoat. 

At  the  sound  of  their  footsteps  Detective 
Ferguson  stepped  away  from  the  window-alcove 

60 


More  Theories 


where  he  had  been  a  witness  of  their  arrival. 
John  Male's  curt  greeting  and  Latimer's  short 
nod  caused  him  to  redden ;  he  was  not  accustomed 
to  such  outward  display  of  contempt,  for  so  he 
interpreted  their  manner. 

"What  can  I  do  for  you,  Ferguson?"  asked 
John  Hale,  signing  to  the  detective  to  draw  up 
a  chair  as  he  threw  himself  down  on  a  lounge. 
"  Sit  down,  Frank,"  and  he  turned  again  to  the 
detective,  as  the  latter  remained  silent,  with  an 
impatient  "Well?" 

"  You  can  answer  a  few  questions,  sir,"  replied 
Ferguson. 

John  Hale  lifted  his  broad  shoulders  in  a  con- 
temptuous shrug. 

"  I  have  already  shown  great  patience  in  that 
line,"  he  remarked  dryly. 

"  Pardon  me ;  you  have  answered  a  few  ques- 
tions most  impatiently,"  retorted  Ferguson.  His- 
temper  was  rising  and  rapidly  overcoming  dis- 
cretion. Instead  of  an  angry  rejoinder,  John 
Hale  gave  a  short  laugh. 

"  Well,  go  on,  what  are  your  questions  ?  "  he 
asked.  "  Remember  that  we  have  just  come  from 
my  stepson's  funeral,  and," — he  cleared  his 
throat  before  continuing  — "  I  —  have  been  under 
a  severe  strain." 

6l 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  True,  sir;  I  promise  not  to  be  long."  Fergu- 
son hitched  his  chair  nearer  the  two  men.  "  It  is 
in  regard  to  the  funeral  that  I  desire  to  speak. 
I  was  told  by  Coroner  Penfield  that  you  had  re- 
quested that  Austin  Hale's  body  be  cremated." 

"Well?"  questioned  John  Hale  as  Ferguson 
paused. 

"  Why  did  you  make  that  request,  Mr.  Hale?  " 

"  Because  I  believe  in  cremation,"  promptly. 

"  Were  you  not  aware  that  Austin's  body  could 
not  be  cremated  until  after  the  mystery  of  his 
murder  had  been  solved?" 

"  No,  I  am  not  a  lawyer." 

"  One  does  not  have  to  be  a  lawyer  to  know 
that  such  a  request  would  be  refused,"  replied 
Ferguson. 

Again  John  Hale  shrugged  his  shoulders. 
"  The  request  was  perfectly  reasonable,"  he  de- 
clared. 

"  Under  normal  conditions,  yes,"  dryly. 
"  Why  did  you  make  it  ?  " 

John  Hale's  raised  eyebrows  indicated  annoy- 
ance at  the  detective's  persistence.  "  I  have  al- 
ready told  you,"  he  stated.  "  It  is  hardly  neces- 
sary to  repeat  that  I  believe  in  cremation." 

"  And  the  absolute  destruction  of  the  body,  so 
that  no  further  medical  examination  could  be 

62 


More  Theories 


made  if  the  need  arose?  "  Ferguson  smiled  skep- 
tically. "  Now,  honestly,  did  you  really  think 
such  a  request  would  get  by?  " 

John  Hale  controlled  his  temper  with  an  effort. 
"  An  autopsy  had  already  been  held  and  the  cause 
of  Austin's  death  determined,"  he  pointed  out, 
and  then,  addressing  his  silent  companion, 
"  What  was  McLane's  exact  definition,  Frank  ?  " 

Latimer  took  out  his  notebook  and  turned  its 
pages  until  he  came  to  an  entry. 

"  Dr.  McLane  stated  that  Austin  died  as  the 
result  of  a  chest  wound,  and  that  death  was  in- 
stantaneous, as  the  weapon  penetrated  to  the 
heart,  or  words  to  that  effect,"  he  added  and  re- 
placed the  notebook  in  his  pocket,  as  John  Hale 
again  addressed  the  detective. 

"  You  see,  Ferguson,  the  autopsy  told  the  cause 
of  death;  therefore  my  request  was  not  only 
natural,  believing,  as  I  do,  in  cremation,  but 
reasonable."  He  leaned  back  and  regarded  the 
detective  with  candid  eyes.  "  That  it  was  not 
granted  was  the  unreasonable  feature  of  the 
case." 

Ferguson  was  slow  in  replying.  "  That  you 
were  advised  to  have  the  body  placed  in  the  re- 
ceiving vault  at  the  cemetery  shows  how  your  re- 
quest was  regarded  by  the  authorities,  Mr.  Hale," 
63 


The  Unseen  Ear 


he  Remarked,   and  Latimer  broke  into  the  dis^ 
•cussion. 

"  Come,  come,"  he  remonstrated.  "  You  go 
too  far  in  your  zeal,  Ferguson.  The  ground  is 
hard  frozen  and  no  graves  can  be  dug;  therefore 
all  bodies  are  being  placed  in  the  receiving  vaults 
until  the  weather  moderates." 

"  Maybe  so,"  Ferguson's  smile  was  non- 
committal. "  But  —  your  request  came  very  pat, 
Mr.  Hale,  and  —  it  didn't  make  a  hit  with  Head- 
quarters." 

John  Hale  straightened  his  powerful  figure. 
'"  I  don't  care  a  damn  how  it  hit  Headquarters !  " 
he  declared,  and  his  voice  rose  in  angry  accents. 
'"  If  this  is  all  you  wish  with  me,  we  may  as  well 
cut  short  our  interview;  my  time  is  valuable." 

"  And  so  is  mine,  sir,"  retorted  Ferguson  with 
•equal  heat.  "  How  much  longer  am  I  going  to 
be  prevented  from  seeing  your  brother,  Mr.  Rob- 
ert Hale?" 

"Depends  on  how  long  it  takes  you  to  turn 
your  head,"  remarked  a  voice  back  of  the  three 
men,  and  with  one  accord  they  spun  around. 
Robert  Hale  was  occupying  his  favorite  chair  and 
he  met  their  stares  with  one  of  mild  surprise. 

"  How  long  have  you  been  in  the  room  ?  "  de- 
jnanded  John  Hale. 

64 


More  Theories 


His  brother  looked  at  the  clock  on  the  mantel. 
"  A  bare  thirty  seconds,"  he  answered.  "  You 
were  so  absorbed  in  conversation  that  I  hesitated 
to  interrupt  you.  When  this  gentleman  " —  with 
a  motion  of  his  hand  toward  Ferguson  — "  asked 
in  such  impassioned  tones  for  a  sight  of  me,  I 
could  not  refrain  from  announcing  my  presence." 

"  But  " —  John  Hale  bent  forward  and  stared 
earnestly  at  his  brother  — "  Dr.  McLane  said  that 
you  were  to  remain  in  bed,  that  you  were  too 
weak " 

Hale  interrupted  him  with  a  snap  of  his  fin- 
gers. "  That  for  McLane's  diagnosis,"  he  said. 
"  I  am  a  bit  weak,  but  staying  in  bed  won't  cure 
that  complaint,  so  I  dressed  myself  and  came 
downstairs.  Where  is  Agatha?  " 

"  She's  out,"  tersely. 

"  So  Anna  informed  me  when  I  met  her  in  the 
hall."  Hale  swung  his  chair  around  to  the  left 
so  as  to  face  them  more  directly.  "  Anna  also 
said  that  Judith  was  out  and  that  Polly  Davis  was 
not  in  the  house?  Why  is  every  one  out? 
Why  " —  with  a  quick  impatient  gesture  — "  is 
there  such  a  funereal  air  about  the  house  ?  " 

John  Hale  groaned  inwardly  and  wasted  a  bit- 
ter ejaculation  on  his  sister-in-law.     Why  had 
Agatha  postponed  telling  her  husband  of  Aus- 
65 


The  Unseen  Ear 


tin's  death?  What  if  McLane  had  advised  keep- 
ing the  tragic  news  from  him  —  if  he  was  strong 
enough  to  dress  himself  unassisted  and  walk  about 
the  house,  he  had  been  strong  enough  to  be  told 
of  the  events  of  the  past  forty-eight  hours.  But 
it  had  now  fallen  to  his  lot  to  do  so  —  it  was 
generally  his  lot  to  be  the  harbinger  of  bad  news 
in  the  family.  John  Hale's  mouth  set  in  grim 
lines. 

"  There  has  been  a  funeral  in  the  house,"  he  an- 
nounced with  characteristic  bluntness.  "  Austin 
died  Tuesday  night." 

"  Austin ! "  Hale  sat  bolt  upright  and  re- 
garded his  brother;  suddenly  he  sank  back  in  his 
chair  and  his  head  sagged  forward  on  his  chest. 

"  Good  Lord !  "  John  Hale  leaped  to  his  feet 
but  Latimer  was  before  him  in  reaching  his 
brother's  side. 

"  Some  water  —  wine !  "  he  called,  and  Fergu- 
son bolted  from  the  room  in  search  of  Anna,  the 
waitress.  He  found  her  polishing  silver  in  the 
dining  room  and  at  his  breathless  request  she 
filled  a  glass  with  ice  water  and  thrust  it  in  his 
hand.  Ferguson  reached  the  library  just  as  Lati- 
mer forced  some  cognac  between  Hale's  blood- 
less lips. 

"  He  will  revive  in  a  minute,"  he  said,  laying 
66 


More  Theories 


down  the  flask  which  John  Hale,  recovering  his 
dazed  wits,  had  taken  from  a  cabinet  in  one  cor- 
ner of  the  library  where  his  brother  kept  some 
wine  secreted.  "  His  pulse  is  better  now  — 
there,"  as  the  powerful  stimulant  took  effect. 
"  He  is  coming  to.  Here,  take  a  sip  of  this," 
and  Latimer  snatched  the  glass  of  water  out  of 
Ferguson's  hand.  Hale,  his  eyelids  fluttering, 
drank  slowly  as  Latimer  tilted  the  glass  gently 
against  his  lips. 

With  an  effort  Hale  jerked  himself  erect  and 
then  leaned  back,  pushing  aside,  as  he  did  so, 
Latimer's  supporting  hand. 

"  I'm  all  right,"  he  protested  weakly.  "  Just 
over-estimated  my  strength  —  wait." 

In  the  ensuing  silence  Detective  Ferguson 
studied  Robert  Hale  attentively;  it  was  the  first 
time  he  had  seen  the  scientist  at  close  quarters. 
There  was  something  effeminate  in  Hale's  good 
looks  and,  in  spite  of  his  gray  hair,  Ferguson  put 
him  down  in  his  estimation  as  belonging  to  the 
"  pretty  boy  type."  The  impression  was  en- 
hanced by  the  stalwart  appearance  of  John  Hale ; 
the  brothers  were  in  striking  contrast,  both  in 
physical  build  and  in  mental  equipment  —  one  had 
achieved  fame  in  his  chosen  profession,  while  the 
other  had  made  a  bare  living  as  the  result  of  hard 
67 


The  Unseen  Ear 


work.  Ferguson's  lips  curled  in  contempt;  the 
small,  slight,  middle-aged  man  was  hardly  an  im- 
pressive figure. 

Suddenly  Robert  Hale  reached  for  the  flask  and 
Latimer  gave  it  to  him.  Tilting  his  head 
backward,  Hale  took  a  long  swallow,  then 
laid  the  flask  carefully  on  the  table  within  easy 
reach. 

"  Now,  John,"  he  began,  "  tell  me  of  Austin." 

"  I  should  have  broken  the  news  more  gently," 
John  Hale  spoke  with  contrition.  "  I  should 
have  remembered  that  you  and  Austin  were  great 
pals." 

His  brother  passed  his  hand  across  his  lips. 
"  We  were  — "  He  paused  abruptly  and  did 
not  complete  his  sentence.  "  Come,  don't  be 
afraid,  I  have  myself  in  hand;  tell  me  the  de- 
tails." 

John  Hale  looked  dubiously  at  Latimer  and  the 
latter  nodded  his  encouragement.  "  Go  ahead, 
tell  him  the  whole  story,"  he  advised.  "  It's 
worse  to  keep  him  in  suspense." 

"Austin  died  on  Tuesday  night,"  John  Hale 
stated,  choosing  his  words  with  care,  "  to  be  exact, 
some  time  on  Wednesday  morning.  He  was 
stabbed  to  death." 

"  Stabbed ! "  Hale's  hand  stole  toward  the 
68 


More  Theories 


flask,     then     was     withdrawn.     "  Stabbed     by 
whom?  " 

"  We  don't  know." 

"  Oh !  "  Robert  Hale's  color  was  returning 
slowly.  "Where  was  Austin  murdered?" 

"  Here." 

"Here?"     The  repetition  was  parrotlike. 

"  Yes,  here."  Ferguson  took  a  step  forward 
and  for  the  first  time  joined  in  the  conversation. 

Hale  turned  and  regarded  him  in  silence,  then 
looked  inquiringly  at  Latimer. 

"  This  is  Detective  Ferguson  of  the  Central 
Office,"  he  explained.  "  He  is  detailed  to  investi- 
gate the  mystery  surrounding  Austin's  death." 

Hale  placed  his  elbow  on  the  table  and  leaned 
his  head  on  his  hand. 

"  And  what  have  you  discovered,  Inspector  ?  " 
he  asked. 

"  Nothing."  Ferguson,  flattered  by  the  title, 
spoke  with  courteous  promptness.  "  I  have  been 
waiting  to  interview  you,  Mr.  Hale,  as  to  what 
transpired  here  on  Tuesday  night." 

"  Tuesday  ? "  Hale  reflected  a  moment. 
"  Let  me  see,  I  was  taken  ill  with  the  '  flu '  last 
Friday,  and  I  have  not  been  up  and  about  until 
this  morning.  You  will  have  to  ask  others  in 
my  household  for  information." 
69 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  I  have,"  Ferguson  made  no  effort  to  conceal 
his  disappointment  over  his  failure  to  elicit  news. 
"  And  every  one  declares  nothing  out  of  the  ordi- 
nary was  either  heard  or  seen." 

"  Tuesday  night,"  repeated  Robert  Hale 
thoughtfully.  "  Tuesday  night  —  why,  John, 
you  went  in  my  stead  with  Agatha  to  the  French 
Embassy  reception ;  did  Judith  accompany  you  ?  " 

"  No,  she  stayed  at  home,"  John  Hale  ex- 
plained. "  She  said  she  had  a  headache." 

"  And  her  husband  ?  "  inquired  his  brother. 

"  Major  Richards?  Oh,  he  had  a  business  en- 
gagement at  the  club."  John  Hale  pulled  for- 
ward a  chair  and  sat  down,  the  interview  threat- 
ened to  grow  protracted.  "  It  was  Joe  who  found 
Austin  on  his  return." 

"Joe  found  him!  "  Robert  Hale  glanced  up- 
ward and  Latimer  started  at  the  sudden  flash  in 
his  dark  eyes  —  eyes  which  until  that  moment 
had  seemed  dull,  almost  dead,  in  their  lusterless 
expression.  "  Well,  what  then  ?  " 

"Joe  called  in  the  police,"  John  Hale  contin- 
ued. "  And  to-day  we  are  no  nearer  detecting 
the  criminal  or  discovering  the  motive  for  the 
crime  than  we  were  at  that  hour." 

"  Give  us  a  chance,  Mr.  Hale,"  protested 
Ferguson.  "  This  is  the  first  time  I've  seen  you," 

70 


More  Theories 


turning  to  the  elder  brother.  "  There's  some  in- 
formation you  must  give,  if  Mr.  John  Hale 
won't." 

"  Play  fair,  Ferguson,"  objected  John  Hale. 
"I  have  never  refused " 

"  Be  quiet,  John."  Robert  Hale  spoke  with 
authority.  "  As  the  head  of  the  house  I  will  at- 
tend to  this  investigation." 

He  was  interrupted  by  a  slight  scream  from  the 
hall.  The  next  instant  the  portieres  were  pulled 
aside  and  Mrs.  Hale  hurried  toward  him. 

"  Robert,  you  are  really  downstairs  —  and 
Anna  did  not  lie,"  she  commenced  incoherently. 
"  Do  you  not  know  that  you  are  jeopard- 
izing   " 

"Quiet,  Agatha" — Robert  Hale  let  his  wife 
clasp  his  hand  in  both  of  hers,  and  Detective 
Ferguson,  watching  the  scene  with  interest,  was 
again  impressed  with  the  quality  of  his  voice. 
Rich  in  tone,  softly  modulated,  it  almost  caressed 
the  ear,  and  Hale's  faultless  pronunciation  added 
to  the  soothing  effect.  "Where  is  Judith?" 

"  Taking  off  her  wraps.  She  will  be  here 
shortly."  Mrs.  Hale  seldom  completed  her  sen- 
tences when  excited.  "  We  have  just  returned 
from—" 

"  I  can  guess  " —  Hale  eyed  her  mourning  and 
71 


The  Unseen  Ear 


her  reddened  eyelids.  "  John  has  told  me  of  Aus- 
tin's death."  He  patted  her  hand  gently,  sympa- 
thetically; then  before  she  could  speak,  addressed 
the  detective.  "  You  said  you  wished  to  question 
me;  kindly  do  so." 

Ferguson  pushed  forward  a  chair  for  Mrs. 
Hale  near  her  husband  and,  drawing  out  his  note- 
book, chose  a  seat  near  the  table. 

"  When  did  you  last  see  Austin  Hale  ?  "  he 
asked. 

"  Before  he  left  for  New  York  six  weeks  ago." 

"  Did  you  expect  him  to  return  on  Tuesday 
night?" 

"  No." 

"  Was  Austin  in  financial  difficulties  ?  " 

"  Not  to  my  knowledge."  Robert  Hale 
addressed  his  brother.  "  How  about  it, 
John?" 

"  I  never  heard  of  his  having  financial  difficul- 
ties," the  latter  replied,  his  attention  partly  divert- 
ed by  Mrs.  Hale;  she  had  an  annoying  habit 
of  biting  her  nails  whenever  perturbed  in  mind, 
and  the  gnawing  sound,  slight  as  it  was,  was  get- 
ting on  her  brother-in-law's  nerves.  She  met  his 
glare  with  a  fixed  stare,  totally  unconscious  of  the 
cause  of  his  wrath. 

"  Was  Austin  in  love?  "  inquired  Ferguson,  his 
72 


More  Theories 


fountain  pen  flying  over  the  paper,  jotting  down 
questions  and  answers. 

Robert  Hale  laughed  faintly.  "  Does  a  kitten 
play  ?  "  he  asked.  "  John,  you  are  better  quali- 
fied to  answer  that  question  than  I;  Austin  was 
your  " —  he  paused  — "  stepson." 

"  And  my  adopted  son,  as  well/'  John  Hale 
amplified  his  brother's  statement.  "If  Austin 
intended  to  marry,  I  was  not  his  confidant,  and, 
therefore,  am  unable  " — his  manner  grew  stiff 
and  formal  — "  to  give  you  any  information  on 
the  subject." 

Ferguson  frowned  in  perplexity.  The  antag- 
onism between  the  brothers  was  {flainly  discern- 
ible and  Frank  Latimer,  instinctively  aware  of 
which  way  the  detective's  thoughts  were  turning, 
grew  uncomfortably  warm  and  conscious  that  he 
was  still  wearing  his  heavy  overcoat. 

Had  Ferguson  learned  of  the  frequent  disputes 
between  the  brothers,  which  had  at  different 
times  kept  their  Washington  friends  in  constant 
dread  of  their  quarrels  developing  into  actual 
conflict? 

"Is  it  your  custom  to  keep  your  safe  un- 
locked, Mr.  Hale  ?  "  asked  Ferguson,  breaking 
the  short  silence. 

"  No." 

73 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Are  you  aware  that  it  was  open  on  Tuesday 
night?" 

Hale  picked  up  the  flask  of  cognac,  eyed  it  a 
moment,  then  laid  it  down  again  before  answer- 
ing. 

"  No." 

"  Has  any  one  besides  you  the  combination?" 

"  No." 

The  detective  watched  Hale  closely.  Was  his 
use  of  monosyllables  due  to  physical  weakness, 
to  a  naturally  taciturn  disposition,  or  to  a  desire 
to  conceal  information?  Ferguson  sighed  im- 
patiently and  resumed  his  examination  with  the 
point  still  undecided  in  his  mind. 

"  Mr.  Hale," —  he  spoke  with  growing  impres- 
siveness  — "  I  found  Austin  Hale  lying  dead  in 
this  room  on  Wednesday  morning  —  he  was  lying 
within  a  few  feet  of  your  open  safe.  The  door 
had  not  been  forced;  therefore  it  must  have  been 
opened  by  some  one  having  the  combination." 
He  paused  and  the  silence  lengthened;  abruptly 
he  broke  it.  "  Please  examine  your  safe,  Mr. 
Hale,  and  see  if  any  money  or  documents  are 
missing." 

"  Wait,  Robert."  The  caution  came  from 
Mrs.  Hale,  and  her  husband  looked  at  her  with 
marked  displeasure.  For  the  moment  he  had 

74 


More  Theories 


forgotten  her  presence.  "  You  must  not  over- 
exert yourself,"  she  continued.  "  Let  me  look  in 
the  safe?" 

Robert  Hale  was  on  his  feet  before  she  had  fin- 
ished speaking. 

"  Don't  worry  about  me,"  he  exclaimed  tartly. 
"  I  know  what  I  am  about,  Agatha,"  and  he 
walked  somewhat  unsteadily  over  to  the  safe,  the 
others  following  until  they  grouped  themselves 
about  him  as  he  knelt  down.  There  was  a  dis- 
tinct pause  as  he  fumbled  with  the  dial. 

Mrs.  Hale's  anxiety  grew  —  would  her  husband 
never  get  the  door  open  ?  She  was  again  about  to 
intercede  as  she  noted  the  paleness  of  his  face 
and  his  heavy  breathing,  but  the  door  suddenly 
swung  open  and  the  remonstrance  remained  un- 
spoken. 

Pushing  his  heavy  gray  hair  off  his  forehead, 
Hale  moved  closer  to  the  safe,  and  without  haste 
examined  every  compartment,  then,  supported  by 
his  attentive  wife,  he  rose  painfully  to  his  feet 
and  dropped  into  a  chair. 

"  My  papers  and  my  wife's  jewelry  are  intact," 
he  stated. 

Ferguson  replaced  his  fountain  pen  and  mem- 
orandum pad  in  his  pocket. 

"  That  settles  it,"  he  declared.  "  Robbery  was 
75 


The  Unseen  Ear 


not  the  motive.  The  murder  of  Austin  Hale  was 
an  inside  job " 

"  You  are  wrong,"  John  Hale's  voice  rang  out 
loudly  and  echoed  through  the  large  room. 
"  Robbery  was  the  motive." 

"  Indeed !  "  Ferguson's  eyes  snapped  with  ex- 
citement. Was  he  to  learn  something  tangible  at 
last.  "  What  was  stolen  ?  " 

"  Austin  owned  a  valuable  antique  watch." 
John  Hale  spoke  slowly,  impressively,  checking 
off  each  word  on  his  finger.  "  He  always  carried 
it  —  it  was  almost  a  fetish  with  him.  The  watch 
is  missing." 

Concealed  by  the  portieres,  Judith  Richards 
leaned  limply  against  the  door-jamb  of  the  library 
and  only  Anna,  the  waitress,  passing  through  the 
hall,  heard  her  astounded  gasp,  followed  by  a  low 
moan. 


CHAPTER  VI 
SPECULATION 

IT  was  lacking  twenty  minutes  of  noon  and 
Polly  Davis  frowned  discontentedly  as  she 
consulted  her  wrist-watch.     She  was  under 
positive  instructions  from  Robert  Hale  to  com- 
plete the  compilation  of  data  given  to  her  the  week 
before.     Hale's   cramped   and   peculiar   style   of 
penmanship  was  difficult  to  read  at  any  time,  and 
with  her  thoughts   wandering   far  afield,   Polly 
found  her  task  more  irksome  than  usual. 

Swiftly  her  fingers  moved  over  the  familiar 
typewriter  keys  and  with  mechanical  exactness 
she  copied  —  copied,  pausing  now  and  then  to 
decipher  a  nearly  unintelligible  paragraph,  until 
she  came  to  the  end  of  the  manuscript  notes.  But 
her  sigh  of  relief  changed  to  a  swift,  disgusted 
ejaculation  as,  dragging  the  last  sheet  out  of  the 
typewriter  she  discovered  that  she  had  carelessly 
reversed  the  carbon  and  that  the  second  copy, 
intended  for  Hale's  files,  was  blank.  The  im- 
pression, which  should  have  been  on  it,  was 
stamped,  instead,  on  the  back  of  the  top  sheet. 

77 


The  Unseen  Ear 


With  a  gesture  of  rage  she  crumpled  the  sheet 
in  her  hand  and  hurled  it  into  the  scrap  basket. 
In  its  flight  the  paper  ball  just  missed  striking 
Anna,  the  waitress,  whose  noiseless  entry  a  second 
before  had  escaped  her  attention.  At  sight  of 
the  servant  Polly  lowered  her  hand,  still  raised 
after  flinging  the  paper  ball,  and  her  features 
relaxed  to  their  wonted  expression. 

"  I  did  not  mean  to  bombard  you,  Anna,"  she 
apologized.  "  Would  you  mind  moving  the  scrap 
basket  over  here  where  it  will  be  more  handy? 
Thanks,"  as  the  servant  complied  with  her  re- 
quest. "  Any  letters  for  Mr.  Hale  ?  " 

"  The  postman  hasn't  brought  the  second  mail 
yet,  Miss  Polly."  Anna  unfolded  a  small  card 
table  and  stood  it  in  front  of  Polly.  "  I  hope  you 
don't  mind  having  your  luncheon  a  little  earlier 
to-day,  miss.  The  Madam  gave  me  this  after- 
noon off  to  go  to  the  movies." 

"Mind?  Well,  hardly,  I'm  ravenous,"  and 
Polly  brightened  as  Anna  put  a  well-laden  tray 
before  her.  "  You  are  quite  a  movie  fan,  Anna; 
what  are  you  going  to  see  to-day?  " 

"  '  The  Official  Chaperon/  "  Anna  poured  out 
a  steaming  cup  of  tea  and  deftly  supplied  the  pro- 
per amount  of  cream  and  sugar.  "They  say  it 
is  a  thriller." 

78 


Speculation 

11  The  title  is  a  little  more  sedate  than  '  Without 
Sin/  "  acknowledged  Polly  laughing.  "  I  believe 
that  was  the  last  movie  you  told  me  of  seeing; 
perhaps  the  new  one  won't  give  you  a  nightmare." 

Anna  colored.  She  was  sensitive  about  the 
scene  she  had  created  ten  days  before  when  her 
screams  had  awakened  the  household  from  sound 
slumber  and  brought  forth  a  severe  scolding  from 
Mrs.  Hale  on  the  subject  of  attending  trashy 
plays.  Robert  Hale  had  interfered  in  time  to 
prevent  Anna,  whose  red  hair  was  indicative  of 
her  hasty  temper,  from  giving  notice,  to  the  re- 
lief of  the  other  members  of  the  family  who  liked 
the  silent,  well-trained  servant. 

"  '  The  Official  Chaperon  '  is  a  dandy,"  she  de- 
clared stoutly.  "  'Least  so  the  papers  say.  It's 
about  a  society  girl  who  is  under  the  hypnotic  in- 
fluence of  a  rascal,  miss,  a  regular  rascal  —  he 
even  makes  her  commit  murder." 

Anna  brought  out  the  last  word  with  such  in- 
tensity that  Polly  actually  jumped. 

"  I  see  you  are  in  for  another  nightmare,"  she 
said,  but  the  smile  accompanying  her  banter  was 
fleeting.  "  Isn't  Mr.  Austin's  murder  terrible 
enough  without  harrowing  your  soul  with  further 
tragedies?  " 

Before  replying  Anna  removed  the  cover  of 
79 


The  Unseen  Ear 


the  toast  dish  and  placed  its  tempting  contents  al- 
most directly  under  Polly's  nose. 

"  It's  terrible,  miss ;  so  terrible  that  I  want  to 
forget  it." 

Polly's  laugh  did  not  ring  quite  true.  "  You 
take  an  odd  way  to  do  so,"  she  remarked. 
"  However,  Anna,  go  and  see  the  hypnotic  movie 
murder,  and  my  blessings  go  with  you." 

Anna  regarded  the  tray  critically  for  an  in- 
stant without  moving.  "  You  are  not  eating, 
miss,"  she  remonstrated.  "  I  don't  know  what 
I'll  do  with  you  and  Miss  Judith." 

Polly  laid  down  her  fork.  She  had  been 
merely  toying  with  the  salad  on  the  plate  before 
her. 

"  Has  Miss  Judith  lost  her  appetite  ? "  she 
asked. 

"  Yes,  miss."  Anna  stepped  nearer  and  spoke 
more  rapidly.  "  Miss  Judith  appears  sort  of  — 
of  in  a  trance,  like." 

"  Trance ! "  Anna  had  no  occasion  to  com- 
plain of  inattention.  Polly  was  regarding  the 
girl's  comely  face  with  deep  interest.  For  the 
first  time  she  observed  the  dark  lines  under  the 
large  eyes  and  saw  that  the  soft  cream-tint  of 
Anna's  perfect  complexion,  which  she  had  fre- 
quently envied  in  the  past,  was  an  unhealthy 

80 


Speculation 

white.     "  Trance,"  she  repeated.     "  What  do  you 
mean,  Anna?  " 

"  Exactly  that,  miss."  Anna  spoke  with  posi- 
tiveness.  "  She  moves  as  if  she  was  in  a  dream. 
She  don't  eat,  don't  talk,  and  I  don't  believe  she 
sleeps." 

"  Dear  me !  "  Polly  bit  viciously  into  a  piece 
of  chocolate  cake.  "  Well,  it  is  not  surprising, 
Anna,  that  Miss  Judith  is  upset.  She  and  Mr. 
Austin  were  very  fond  of  each  other." 

"  Until  he  wished  to  marry  her,"  was  Anna's 
shrewd  retort.  "  Oh,  we  servants  aren't  blind, 
miss." 

"  No,  worse  luck !  "  The  low-spoken  ejacula- 
tion escaped  Polly  unawares,  and  she  bit  her  lip. 
Apparently  it  was  not  overheard,  for  Anna  made 
no  comment,  and  Polly  asked  in  haste,  "  How  did 
you  know  that  Mr.  Austin  desired  to  marry  Miss 
Judith?  You  were  not  here  at  that  time." 

"  No,  miss ;  but  when  the  cablegram  came  tell- 
ing of  Miss  Judith's  unexpected  marriage  to 
Major  Richards,  cook  told  me  all  about  Mr. 
Austin's  courtship,  and  how  Mr.  Hale  encour- 
aged him.  It  was  common  gossip,  miss,  not  only 
below  stairs  but  in  society  as  well."  Seeing  that 
Polly  had  about  completed  her  hastily  eaten  meal, 
Anna  rearranged  the  tray,  preparatory  to  carry- 
81 


The  Unseen  Ear 


ing  it  away.  "  You  weren't  here  then  either, 
miss,  were  you?  " 

"  N  —  no."  Polly  folded  her  napkin  in  its 
exact  creases  with  due  regard  to  detail.  "  Don't 
worry  about  Miss  Judith,  she  will  be  all  right  as 
soon  as  the  shock  of  Mr.  Austin's  death  wears 
off." 

"Will  she,  miss?"  Anna's  tone  expressed 
doubt.  She  lifted  the  tray,  thought  a  moment, 
replaced  it,  and  walked  to  Polly's  side,  "  Do 
you  think  Miss  Judith's  quite  happy  in  her  mar- 
riage ?  " 

"  What !  "  Polly  stared  at  her  questioner  in 
blank  astonishment.  "  She  and  her  husband  are 
ideally  happy." 

"Are  they,  miss?"  Anna  shook  a  puzzled 
head,  then  bent  until  her  lips  almost  touched 
Polly's  ear.  "  Major  Richards  came  home  from 
Mr.  Austin's  funeral  just  in  time  for  dinner,  and 
went  out  immediately  after  —  and  —  he  didn't 
return  until  about  six  this  morning." 

"  How  do  you  know  ?  "  demanded  Polly.  Her 
voice  was  sharp. 

"  I  let  him  in,  miss."  Anna  picked  up  the  tray 
and  poised  for  flight.  "  The  Major  said  he  had 
mislaid  his  latchkey." 

Polly  regarded  the  waitress  as  she  crossed  the 
82 


Speculation 

room,  with  critical  eyes.  In  spite  of  the  heavy 
glass-topped  tray,  Anna  walked  with  ease,  her  fine 
upright  carriage  had  frequently  been  commented 
upon  admiringly  by  Mrs.  Male's  dinner  guests. 

Polly  turned  back  to  her  typewriter  with  re- 
newed distaste.  A  glance  at  her  watch  showed 
that  it  was  after  one  o'clock.  For  some  minutes 
she  sat  in  indecision.  Then,  tossing  her  papers 
into  the  drawer,  she  covered  her  machine  and 
went  home. 

She  had  been  gone  a  bare  ten  minutes  when  the 
door  opened  and  Robert  Hale  stepped  into  the 
den.  On  catching  sight  of  the  empty  chair  in 
front  of  the  typewriter,  he  frowned,  and,  going 
over  to  the  machine,  lifted  its  leather  cover.  A 
glance  at  its  empty  roll  brought  a  shrug  of  the 
shoulders,  which  was  repeated  when  he  looked  at 
his  watch.  Without  sitting  down  he  scanned  the 
furniture  and  the  scrap  basket  finally  caught  his 
eye. 

Dropping  into  Polly's  chair,  he  picked  up  the 
basket  and  examined  the  pieces  of  torn  envelopes, 
then  the  ball  of  paper  claimed  his  attention  and 
he  smoothed  it  out.  He  read  the  typewritten 
words  listlessly  at  first,  then  with  slowly  increas- 
ing interest,  and  finally  folded  the  sheet  with  care 
and  slipped  it  inside  his  pocket.  Five  minutes 

83 


The  Unseen  Ear 


later  he  was  smoking  placidly  in  his  favorite  chair 
in  the  library. 

Judith's  lack  of  appetite  which  had  so  dis- 
tressed Anna,  the  waitress,  persisted,  and  during 
luncheon  she  partook  of  only  one  hot  roll  and 
sipped  a  cup  of  tea.  Mrs.  Hale,  loquacious  as 
ever,  paid  no  attention  to  the  curt  responses  of 
both  her  husband  and  daughter,  arid  carried  on  a 
lengthy  conversation,  much  to  her  own  satisfac- 
tion and  the  secret  enjoyment  of  Maud,  the  parlor 
maid,  who,  in  Anna's  absence,  was  serving 
luncheon  unaided. 

Mrs.  Hale's  volatile  nature  had  thrown  off  the 
depression  of  the  past  two  days  and,  after  the 
funeral  services  in  the  mortuary  chapel  of  Oak 
Hill  Cemetery,  she  had  recovered  from  her  in- 
clination to  hysteria  and  was,  to  all  intents  and 
purposes,  her  normal  self  again.  At  least,  so  the 
servants  had  concluded  from  her  excessive  in- 
terest in  housekeeping  affairs. 

Not  waiting  for  the  dessert  to  be  passed, 
Judith  pushed  back  her  chair  and  rose. 

"  If  you  will  excuse  me,  Mother,"  she  said,  "  I 
will  try  to  get  a  nap;  I  did  not  sleep  very  well 
last  night." 

Her  father  regarded  her  with  concern.  "  My 
dear  child !  "  he  exclaimed,  startled  by  her  pallor, 

84 


Speculation 

"  you  look  completely  used  up.  Agatha,  what  do 
you  mean  by  permitting  Judith  to  get  up  this 
morning?  She  needs  entire  rest." 

"Well,  really,  Robert,"— Mrs.  Hale  flushed; 
her  husband  seldom  addressed  her  in  that  tone  — 
"Judith  has  a  husband  to  look  after  her;  I," 
primly,  "  don't  interfere." 

The  carmine  rose  in  Judith's  white  cheeks,  then 
receded,  leaving  them  whiter  than  before.  There 
was  a  perceptible  pause  before  she  spoke. 

"  There  is  no  cause  for  interference,  Mother," 
she  protested.  "  Joe  insisted  upon  my  remaining 
in  bed  to-day,  but  I  disobeyed  him." 

Robert  Hale  laid  down  the  cigar  he  was  about 
to  light  and  again  regarded  her. 

"  Where  was  Joe  last  night?  "  he  inquired,  and 
at  the  question  Judith  stiffened. 

"  He  had  to  motor  to  Baltimore  on  business," 
she  explained.  "  In  returning,  his  chauffeur 
drove  recklessly  and  they  met  with  an  accident, 
so  that  Joe  never  reached  home  until  about  six 
o'clock  this  morning." 

"  So  Anna  told  me."  Hale  was  looking  at  his 
cigar  and  not  at  his  daughter.  "  Hard  on  Joe  to 
be  sleepless  for  three  nights  running.  When  he 
comes  in  ask  him  to  look  me  up." 

"  Yes,  Father."  Judith  had  taken  a  few  steps 
85 


The  Unseen  Ear 


toward  the  entrance  to  the  central  hall,  when  her 
mother's  shrill  voice  reached  her. 

"  Why  isn't  Joe  here  for  luncheon?  "  she  asked. 

"  He  is  lunching  with  friends  at  the  Alibi 
Club."  Judith  laid  one  hand  on  the  portiere 
nearest  her  and,  turning,  faced  her  parents. 
"  Why  are  you  so  interested  in  Joe's  where- 
abouts?" 

"What  a  question?"  Hale  laughed  lightly. 
"  We  are  interested  in  everything  which  concerns 
you,  Judith ;  and  surely  your  husband  is  of  para- 
mount importance.  Run  along,  dearest,  and  get 
that  needed  sleep,"  and,  rising,  Hale  crossed  the 
room  and  kissed  her.  The  lips  which  Judith 
barely  touched  to  his  were  cold,  and  without  an- 
other word  she  hastened  to  her  room. 

Hale  stood  in  the  doorway  gazing  thoughtfully 
into  space;  and  his  expression  gained  in  serious- 
ness. "The  Alibi,"  he  muttered.  "Bah!  an 
alibi." 

Once  in  her  bedroom,  Judith  locked  the  com- 
municating door  between  it  and  her  boudoir;  thus 
secured  from  interruption,  she  paced  up  and  down 
her  room,  her  footfall  on  the  heavy  carpet  making 
no  sound.  Back  and  forth,  back  and  forth  — • 
utter  physical  fatigue  finally  caused  her  to  drop 
into  a  chair. 

86 


Speculation 

But  while  soft  upholstery  brought  rest  to  her 
tired  body,  it  gave  no  mental  relief.  What  had 
come  over  her  to  lie  —  lie  —  lie  —  she,  who  had 
been  brought  up  by  her  New  England  grand- 
mother to  abominate  even  the  "  delicate  "  white 
lie  of  society.  And  she  had  lied,  not  to-  an  out- 
sider, but  to  her  father  and  mother,  and  lied 
about  her  husband. 

Judith  drew  a  long  breath.  She  had  "  ex- 
plained "  Richards'  absence  by  drawing  on  her 
imagination.  In  reality  she  had  no  knowledge 
where  he  had  gone  after  dinner  the  night  before. 
She  had  pretended  to  be  asleep  when  he  came  in 
at  nearly  seven  in  the  morning  and  thrown  him- 
self on  the  outside  of  the  bed.  He  had  slept  the 
sleep  of  utter  exhaustion,  and  she  had  forborne 
to  wake  him,  had  forborne  to  question  him  when 
he  finally  awoke  —  and  he  had  volunteered  no 
explanation.  He  had  not  returned  for  luncheon, 
having  left  her  with  the  remark  that  a  stroll  down 
town  would  freshen  him  up  —  and  that  was  all. 

A  few  bitter  tears  forced  themselves  under 
Judith's  closed  eyelids ;  it  was  the  first  rift  in  their 
happy  married  life.  His  manner  had  been  affec- 
tionate, tender,  but 

Judith  dashed  her  hand  across  her  eyes  and 
rose.  It  took  her  but  a  short  time  to  change  her 
87 


The  Unseen  Ear 


house  gown  for  a  becoming  suit.  She  was  about 
to  leave  the  room  when  a  thought  struck  her. 
Going  over  to  the  mantel,  she  opened  the  small 
leather  box  and  took  from  under  its  coiled  wires 
the  locket  which  had  so  engrossed  her  attention 
on  Wednesday  morning.  She  balanced  the 
locket  in  her  hand  in  indecision,  then,  closing  the 
box,  she  went  to  her  bureau  and  from  its  upper 
drawer  took  out  a  jewel  box,  opened  it,  and 
dropped  the  locket  among  the  other  pieces  of 
jewelry  the  box  contained,  locked  it,  and  put  the 
box  back  in  place  inside  the  drawer. 

On  her  way  to  the  front  door  Judith  encoun- 
tered her  mother  and  was  promptly  stopped. 

"  Judith !  "  Mrs.  Hale's  accents  indicated  a 
crescendo  of  astonishment.  "  My  dear,  didn't 
you  hear  your  father  say  that  you  were  to  go  to 
bed?" 

"  Now,  Mother,  please  " —  Judith  placed  her 
finger  lightly  against  Mrs.  Hale's  rouged  lips. 
"  Not  another  word.  As  you  said  at  luncheon, 
I  am  a  married  woman  now,  and  —  I  know  best." 
Before  Mrs.  Hale  could  frame  another  remon- 
strance, she  had  run  out  of  the  front  door  and 
sprung  into  her  electric  car  and  driven  off. 

Traffic  regulations  prevented  Judith  from  park- 
ing her  car  in  front  of  the  tall  office  building 

88 


Speculation 

where  "  Latimer  and  House,"  had  their  stock- 
brokerage  office,  and  she  was  obliged  to  walk 
almost  a  block,  a  distance  which  she  covered  in 
record  time  and  arrived,  somewhat  breathless,  in 
the  anteroom  of  that  firm.  At  her  request  to  see 
the  senior  partner,  she  was  at  once  taken  to  Frank 
Latimer's  private  office.  With  characteristic 
directness  she  plunged  at  once  into  her  errand. 

"  I  have  come  to  see  you  on  business,  Frank," 
she  began,  taking  the  chair  his  clerk  placed  for 
her.  "  Confidential  business." 

Latimer  signed  to  his  clerk  to  withdraw  and 
then  turned  to  her. 

"  Anything  I  can  do?  "  he  asked.  "  I  am  en- 
tirely at  your  service,  Judith." 

"  Thanks."  Judith's  quick  smile  enhanced  her 
beauty,  and  Latimer  regarded  her  with  admira- 
tion. He  and  her  Uncle  John  had  been  her  pals 
since  the  days  when  she  wore  short  frocks.  "  I 
want  your  advice  about  some  bonds,  Frank." 

"  Surely."  Latimer  drew  a  pad  and  pencil 
toward  him.  "  Have  you  decided  on  your  invest- 
ment?" 

"  I  am  not  going  to  buy  —  I  wish  to  sell." 

"  Oh! "  Latimer  showed  his  surprise,  but  she 
gave  him  no  opportunity  to  say  anything  further. 

"  How  much  would  ten  one  hundred  dollar 
89 


The  Unseen  Ear 


bonds  of  the  Troy  Valve  Company  bring  ?  "  she 
asked. 

Latimer  again  glanced  at  her  in  surprise. 
"  They  are  selling  above  par,"  he  said.  "  Wait  " 
—  and  he  consulted  a  printed  table  of  figures  — 
"to  be  exact,  125^' — they  fell  off  a  point  in 
yesterday's  market." 

"  Let  me  see  " —  Judith  did  a  sum  in  mental 
arithmetic — "that  would  net  me  about  $1250." 

"  A  little  more  than  that,"  Latimer  completed 
his  memorandum.  "If  you  hold  the  bonds  for 
forty-eight  hours  they  will  recover  —  industrials 
are  in  great  demand  now." 

"  But  I  want  the  money." 

"  But  Judith,"  he  remonstrated,  "  don't  sacri- 
fice your  bonds.  Why  not  ask  your  father  for  a 
loan?" 

"  No," —  Judith  tempered  the  refusal  — 
"  Father  wouldn't  understand.  I  need  the  money 
for —  for  an  emergency." 

"  Well,  see  here,  Judith," —  Latimer  pulled  out 
his  check  book  — "  won't  you  let  me  help  out  ?  " 

Judith  flashed  him  a  look  of  gratitude. 
"  Don't  think  I  am  unappreciative  of  your  gen- 
erous offer,"  she  exclaimed,  "  if  I  decline  it." 

"  All  right,  Judith,"  and  Latimer  returned  his 
check  book  to  the  desk  drawer.  "  But  don't  sell 

90 


Speculation 

your  bonds.  You  can  raise  a  thousand  at  any 
bank  by  giving  them  as  collateral  with  your  note." 

Judith's  expression  altered.  "  I  hadn't  thought 
of  that,"  she  exclaimed.  "  Perhaps  that  would  be 
better." 

"  Then  if  it  will  be  of  assistance  to  you  I'll 
arrange  it  at  the  bank."  Judith  nodded  a  vigor- 
ous assent.  "  Will  one  thousand  be  enough?  " 

Judith  considered  a  second.  "  Yes,  I  believe 
so." 

"  Have  you  the  bonds  with  you  ?  " 

"  No,  they  are  in  our  safe  at  home."  Judith 
glanced  at  her  wrist-watch  and  saw  that  it  was 
half-past  two.  "  I'll  bring  the  bonds  to-morrow 
morning;  that  will  be  time  enough.  I  have  the 
numbers  here,  however,"  and  drawing  out  her 
bank  book  from  her  bag,  she  turned  to  its  back 
pages.  "  They  run  from  37982  to  37991."  She 
was  on  her  feet  before  Latimer  had  laid  down  his 
pencil.  "  I  must  hurry,  Frank."  Impulsively 
she  clasped  his  hand  in  both  of  hers.  "  I  can't 
begin  to  thank  you." 

"  Nonsense !  "  Latimer  patted  her  gently  on 
the  shoulder.  "  I  am  only  too  glad,  Judith,  to  be 
of  service.  How  is  your  father?" 

"  Oh,  he  is  all  right  again."  Judith  could  not 
restrain  her  impatience  to  be  off.  "  Mother's 
91 


The  Unseen  Ear 


rather  fidgety;  so  are  we  all" — and  an  involun- 
tary sigh  accompanied  the  words.  "  Austin's 
death  was  a  shock  we  have  not  recovered  from. 
It's  — vit's  numbed  us  " —  hunting  about  for  a 
word. 

"  I  understand,"  and  Latimer  looked  sympa- 
thetically at  her  as  he  escorted  her  through  his 
private  entrance  into  the  corridor  and  to  the  eleva- 
tor shaft.  "  The  newspapers  said  there  were  no 
new  developments  in  the  case.  Are  you  still  an- 
noyed by  the  police  ?  " 

"Not  to-day,"  Judith  stopped  at  the  stairs. 
"  I  can't  wait  for  the  elevator ;  it's  only  a  few 
flights,  so  good-by."  And  waving  her  hand,  she 
almost  ran  down  the  steps. 

As  Latimer  reentered  his  private  office  he  found 
his  head  clerk  standing  by  his  desk  with  a  number 
of  papers  in  his  hand. 

"  These  bonds  have  just  been  offered,"  he  ex- 
plained, extending  the  papers  and  Latimer  glanced 
at  them.  The  next  second  he  snatched  up  his 
memorandum  pad  and  compared  the  figures  noted 
thereon  with  the  numbers  engraved  on  the  Troy 
Valve  bonds  —  37982.  With  quickened  interest 
Latimer  turned  over  the  bonds  —  each  of  the  ten 
numbers  tallied  with  those  on  the  memorandum 
pad. 

92 


Speculation 

"Where  did  you  get  these  Valve  bonds?"  he 
demanded. 

"  One  of  our  new  customers  —  I  forget  his 
name  —  has  just  sold  them  to  cover  his  margins." 

Latimer  stared  at  his  clerk.  "  Is  the  customer 
still  here?" 

"  Yes,  sir ;  at  least  he  was  a  few  minutes  ago." 

Latimer  strode  to  the  outer  office  door  and 
opened  it  slightly ;  over  a  dozen  men  and  women 
were  grouped  about  the  ticker  at  the  other  end 
of  the  room. 

"Which  is  the  customer?"  he  demanded, 
keeping  his  voice  low. 

The  clerk  peered  over  his  shoulder. 

"  There  —  that's  him,"  he  exclaimed ;  Latimer's 
excitement,  though  subdued,  had  communicated 
itself  to  him  and  his  grammar  went  astray. 
"  There,  he's  going  out  of  the  front  door." 

And  Latimer,  looking  eagerly  across  the  office, 
was  just  in  time  to  recognize  the  clear-cut  fea- 
tures and  the  straight  soldierly  figure.  Joseph 
Richards  had  disposed  of  the  ten  bonds  owned  by 
his  wife  —  which  Judith  desired  to  sell  —  to  cover 
his  margins  in  stock  speculations. 

Latimer  sat  down  in  the  nearest  chair  con- 
scious of  a  feeling  of  faintness  for  the  first  time 
in  his  life. 


THE  death  of  Austin  Hale  under  mysteri- 
ous circumstances  had  created  a  veritable 
sensation  in  Washington,  and  the  resi- 
dents of  the  National  Capital  read  with  avidity 
every  newspaper  account.  To  the  indignation  of 
the  city  editors  and  the  staffs  of  newspaper  men, 
few  details  were  forthcoming  from  either  Police 
Headquarters  or  the  Hale  residence.  Thus 
thrown  upon  their  own  resources,  imagination 
played  a  large  part  in  their  "  write-ups  "  of  the 
tragedy  which,  headed  by  display  type  of  the 
most  sensational  character,  had  but  served  to 
whet  the  appetite  of  the  reading  public. 

Robert  Hale  and  his  family  occupied  a  promi- 
nent position,  both  in  the  scientific  world  and  in 
society,  and  young  Austin  Hale,  who  had  been 
petted  and  indulged  by  his  hosts  of  friends,  was 
genuinely  mourned,  and  Anna,  the  waitress,  'de- 
tailed Maud,  the  parlor  maid,  to  remain  at  the 
front  door  and  receive  the  visiting  cards  bearing 

94 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


the  message,  "  With  sincere  sympathy,"  or  per- 
fumed notes  of  condolence  addressed  to  Mrs. 
Hale,  Judith,  and  John  Hale. 

Mrs.  Hale  looked  with  dismay  at  the  formidable 
pile  of  notes  which  Maud  had  handed  to  her  with 
a  flourish  at  the  close  of  dinner. 

"  I  shall  have  to  borrow  Polly  Davis  to  ac- 
knowledge these  messages  of  sympathy  for  me, 
Robert,"  she  remarked,  laying  aside  her  lorgnette 
and  addressing  her  husband  who,  occupied  with  a 
game  of  solitaire,  sat  at  a  near-by  table  in  the 
library. 

Robert  Hale  considered  the  Knave  of  Hearts 
before  discarding  it. 

''  Very  well,  if  you  need  Polly's  services  you 
can  have  her,"  he  said,  drawing  another  card 
from  the  pack.  "  But  it  is  for  a  limited  time 
only,  recollect  Polly  is  behind  in  my  work." 

Judith,  knitting  industriously  in  her  corner  of 
the  big  divan,  stopped  her  busy  needles  for  a 
moment. 

"  Polly  isn't  looking  very  well,  Father,"  she 
stated  slowly.  "  Don't  give  her  additional  work ; 
she  is  not  very  strong." 

Hale  looked  displeased.     "  I  am  not  giving  her 
additional  work,"   he  protested.     "  Polly   is   be- 
hindhand, and  it  is  entirely  her  own  fault.     She 
95 


The  Unseen  Ear 


has  been  giving  too  much  attention  to  society  and 
too  little  to  her  duties  as  my  secretary." 

"  Tut,  Judith,"  Mrs.  Hale  promptly  took  ex- 
ception to  the  implied  criticism  of  her  husband. 
"  Your  father  is  quite  right,  he  has  been  most 
lenient  with  Polly  and  her  flirtations." 

"  I  hardly  think  it  is  our  place  to  judge  Polly." 
Judith  spoke  with  increasing  earnestness.  "  The 
girl  tries  hard  to  keep  up  with  her  work,  and 
your  manuscript  is  not  always  easy,  Father.  You 
ought  to  recollect,  also,  Mother,  that  she  has  led 
a  colorless  life  until  this  winter.  She  has  a 
mother  entirely  dependent  upon  her,  and  they  are 
cruelly  poor." 

"  All  the  more  reason  for  attending  strictly  to 
her  work,"  grunted  Hale,  but  his  voice  had  soft- 
ened, as  it  always  did  when  Judith  was  a  special 
pleader  and  that  his  daughter  was  much  in  earnest 
was  plainly  evident.  "  Can't  you  manage  those 
notes  yourself,  Agatha?" 

"  Let  me  answer  them  for  you,"  broke  in  Joe 
Richards,  and,  rising  from  his  seat  under  a  stand- 
ing lamp  where  he  had  been  reading  an  evening 
newspaper,  he  walked  over  to  the  divan.  "  My 
penmanship  used  to  be  pretty  fair,  and  if  Judith 
will  dictate  what  to  say — " 

"  Of  course  I  will,"  Judith's  blue  eyes  flashed 
96 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


him  a  grateful  message.     "  Now,  Father,  if  you 
will  consent,  I  wish  to  give  Polly  a  —  a  vacation." 

Hale  raised  his  head  and  contemplated  her  in 
surprise.  "  A  vacation  ?  "  he  echoed.  "  Come, 
Judith,  that  is  a  different  matter;  I  am  willing 
not  to  give  Polly  additional  work,  but  she  must 
complete  her  regular  secretarial  duties." 

Richards  looked  from  father  to  daughter. 
"Can't  I  help  out  there,  also,  Mr.  Hale?"  he 
asked. 

'  You  cannot,"  was  the  prompt  response,  and 
under  his  tan  Richards  felt  his  color  rise.  Hale's 
manner  to  him  could  never  be  termed  ingratiating. 
If  Judith  caught  the  undercurrent  of  dislike  in  her 
father's  abrupt  refusal  she  gave  no  sign  of  it,  as 
she  went  placidly  on  with  her  knitting. 

"  I  will  see  that  you  .are  supplied  with  a  secre- 
tary in  Polly's  place,"  she  explained.  "And  if 
you  consent,  Father,  I  plan  to  give  her  and  her 
mother  a  trip  to  Atlantic  City." 

"  Bless  my  soul,  Judith !  "  Mrs.  Hale  dropped 
the  note  she  was  reading  and  stared  at  her.  "  I 
think  such  generosity  is  quite  unnecessary." 

"Please" — Judith  laid  aside  her  knitting  and 
her  voice  was  soft  and  winning.  "  Please,  dear, 
let  me'have  my  way  in  this.  You,  Father,  will 
benefit." 

97 


The  Unseen  Ear 


Hale,  in  gathering  up  his  playing  cards, 
dropped  half  of  them  on  the  floor,  and  he  was 
some  seconds  in  collecting  them,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  Richards. 

"How  shall  I  benefit?"  he  asked,  acknowl- 
edging Richards'  courtesy  with  a  nod  of  his  head. 

"  By  getting  more  efficient  work,"  Judith  ex- 
plained. "  Polly  is  on  the  point  of  a  nervous 
breakdown.  Rest  and  sea  breezes  will  put  her 
on  her  feet  again;  whereas  if  she  is  forced  to 
leave  you  on  account  of  illness,  you  will  still 
be  obliged  to  fill  her  place  —  perhaps  for  an  in- 
definite time." 

Hale  stacked  the  cards  neatly  before  him  and 
rising,  put  the  small  table  back  against  the  wall 
in  its  customary  place.  "  I'll  think  over  your 
plan,  Judith,"  he  agreed.  "  But  mind  you,  I  can't 
promise.  Well,  Agatha," — as  his  wife,  seeing 
he  was  about  to  leave  the  library,  rose  also,  a 
bundle  of  papers  in  her  hand  — "  what  is  it  ?  Do 
you  wish  to  go  on  a  vacation,  also  ?  " 

"  No,  indeed !  "  Mrs.  Hale  took  her  courage 
in  both  hands.  "  Here  are  some  bills  —  they  have 
just  come  in,"  hastening  to  forestall  objections. 
But,  contrary  to  her  expectations,  Hale  did  not 
indulge  in  his  usual  sarcastic  comments  regarding 
her  efforts  to  keep  household  accounts  system- 

98 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


atically  —  the  word  "  system  "  was  not  in  Mrs. 
Hale's  vocabulary. 

"  Bring  the  bills  to  my  den,"  he  suggested, 
"  and  I  will  go  over  them.  Don't  stay  up  too 
late,  Judith,"  he  cautioned,  turning  back  from  the 
door  as  Mrs.  Hale,  much  relieved,  hastily  gathered 
together  her  cherished  account  books,  which  never 
balanced,  and  scurried  out  of  the  library  ahead 
of  him  in  some  trepidation  lest  he  might  change 
his  mind.  Hale  looked  first  at  Judith  and  then  at 
her  husband.  "  Don't  let  Judith  overtire  herself, 
Joe;  we  cannot  have  that."  Wheeling  around, 
he  followed  his  wife  upstairs. 

Judith  looked  up  from  her  knitting  as  Richards 
paused  by  the  side  of  the  divan  and  regarded  her. 

"Do  you  feel  ill,  dearest?"  he  asked,  and  the 
concern  in  his  tone  brought  a  touch  of  color  to 
her  wan  cheeks. 

"No,  only — "  Judith  hesitated.  "  Father  is 
right,  I  am  very  tired  —  I  couldn't  sleep  last 
night."  Her  usually  clear  voice  quivered ;  an- 
other second  and  Richards'  arms  were  around  her 
and  her  head  was  pillowed  on  his  broad  shoulder. 

"  My  dear,  dear  love,"  he  murmured. 
"  Judith,  don't  cry,  my  darling,  don't  " —  in  dis- 
tress, as  her  self-control  gave  way.  The  storm 
of  tears  ceased  almost  as  abruptly  as  it  started, 

99 


The  Unseen  Ear 


and  Judith  met  her  husband's  tender  glance  with 
a  brave  little  smile. 

"  I  am  not  often  inclined  to  hysterics,"  she 
whispered.  "  Forgive  me,  dear." 

"Forgive  you!"  Richards  laughed  softly. 
"  Always,  dear  heart.  Judith  " —  and  his  clasp 
tightened  — "  you  have  no  idea  how  precious  you 
are  to  me;  how  I  worship  you" — his  strong 
voice  grew  rough  with  emotion.  "  I  am  not  half 
worthy  of  you." 

"  Hush !  "  Judith  placed  a  tender  finger  across 
his  lips.  "  Don't  say  that,  Joe.  The  world  never 
held  such  happiness  for  me  until  I  met  you,  and 
there  has  been  no  shadow  until " —  she  faltered 
a  minute  — "  until  yesterday." 

"  Until  yesterday  ? "  Richards'  astonishment 
was  plain.  "  You  mean  Austin's  funeral  ?  " 

"  No."  Judith  colored  warmly.  "  I  mean 
your  leaving  after  dinner  last  night  without  say- 
ing anything  to  me  and  —  and  —  your  getting 
back  so  late,  or  rather,  so  early  this  morning." 

"  Good  gracious,  Judith!  "  Richards  chuckled, 
then  grew  grave.  "  John  asked  me  to  go  to  the 
club,  and  I  left  word  with  your  father  —  didn't 
he  give  you  the  message?  " 

"  No ;  Father  felt  badly  early  in  the  evening 
and  went  to  bed  without  my  seeing  him.  Did 
100 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


you  stay  at  the  club  all  night?  "  again  she  colored. 
"  I  was  awake  when  you  came  in  this  morning." 

"  You  were !  "  Richards  smiled  wryly.  "  And 
I  thought  you  asleep  and  did  my  best  not  to 
awaken  you.  At  the  club  I  met  Sandy  Nichols, 
and  he  asked  me  to  run  over  to  Baltimore  and 
try  out  his  new  Pierce  Arrow  —  he  was  my  pal 
in  the  A.  E.  F.,  you  know,"  he  interpolated. 
"  We  expected  to  be  back  before  midnight,  but  we 
first  lost  our  way  owing  to  a  detour,  and  then 
the  car  broke  down  on  the  return  trip.  I  tried 
to  telephone,  but  Central  declared  the  house  would 
not  answer." 

"  Mother  had  the  phone  disconnected ;  she  in- 
sisted it  disturbed  Father."  Judith's  spirits  were 
returning,  and  the  glance  she  gave  him  was  full 
of  mischief.  "  You  have  no  idea  how  worried 
I  was." 

"Judith!"  Richards  held  her  face  between 
his  hands  and  gazed  straight  into  her  eyes. 
"Judith,  you  weren't  jealous?" 

Slowly,  slowly  her  eyes  fell  before  his  ardent 
look  and  the  rich  color  mantled  almost  to  her 
brow.  "Yes,  I  was,"  she  confessed,  and  hold- 
ing her  in  close  embrace,  he  kissed  her  tenderly. 

"  Judith,"  he  said,  "  never  doubt  my  loyalty  to 
you  —  my  devotion."  He  stopped,  hesitated,  and 
101 


The  Unseen  Ear 


his  voice  grew  even  lower.  "  You  are  my  life  — 
my  religion." 

"  Joe!  "  Startled  by  the  intensity  of  his  man- 
ner, Judith  stood  up.  "  You  must  not  exalt  me. 
I  am  an  ordinary  mortal,  subject  to  error." 

"  No."  Richards  rose  and  faced  her,  his  hands 
resting  lightly  on  her  shoulders.  "  In  my  eyes 
you  can  do  no  wrong." 

Richards  stood  tall  and  straight  before  her,  his 
six  feet  two  of  sturdy  manhood  matched  by  her 
slender  willowy  figure,  for  Judith  was  above  the 
usual  height  for  women.  Maud,  the  parlor  maid, 
who  had  come  in  search  of  Mrs.  Hale,  felt  a 
sympathetic  thrill  as  she  noted  the  rapt  expression 
of  the  lovers,  and  stole  away  without  disturb- 
ing them. 

"  Joe," —  Judith  slipped  her  hand  inside  his  and 
gave  it  a  gentle  squeeze — "  this  is  the  first  really 
happy  moment  I  have  known  since  I  regained  my 
senses  in  my  boudoir  on  Tuesday  night,  or  rather 
Wednesday  morning.  I  do  not  understand  how 
I  came  to  faint." 

Richards  glanced  at  her  for  an  instant.  Then 
his  gaze  traveled  across  the  room  and  rested  on 
the  spot  where  Austin  Hale's  body  had  lain  that 
fateful  Wednesday  morning. 

"  You  had   reached   the  limit   of   endurance, 

102 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


dearest,"  he  declared.  "  Tell  me," —  and  again 
his  eyes  sought  hers  — "  you  heard  nothing  —  no 
sound  of  a  struggle,  no  scream?  " 

Judith  shook  her  head  and  the  pathetic  look 
which  Richards  had  grown  to  know  crept  into 
her  eyes.  "  I  am  deaf." 

"  But  with  this,  dear,"  and  he  touched  the  ear- 
piece of  the  "  globia-phone  "  which  she  was  wear- 
ing. "  Surely  you  could  hear  something." 

"  I  did  not  have  it  on  Tuesday  night,"  she  ex- 
plained. "  My  head  ached  and  when  I  braided 
my  hair  I  took  it  off,  for  even  the  slight  weight 
of  the  instrument  intensified  the  pain.  And  you 
must  remember  that  the  walls  of  this  house  are 
sound-proof;  I  could  not  hear,  even  when  I  was 
wearing  this  earphone,  anything  transpiring  down- 
stairs while  I  was  in  our  boudoir." 

"In  our  boudoir!"  The  words  slipped 
mechanically  from  Richards.  "  Don't  you  recol- 
lect, dearest,  that  I  found  you  unconscious  in  the 
front  hall  downstairs?" 

"In  the  front  hall?"  Judith  faltered  and 
dropped  her  eyes.  "  Why  —  I  —  I  thought  you 
found  me  in  our  boudoir.  I  revived  there." 

"  I  carried  you  upstairs."  Richards  bit  his  lip 
as  a  faint  "  Oh !  "  broke  from  Judith.  She  made 
no  other  comment,  and  he  continued,  "  How  did 
103 


The  Unseen  Ear 


it  happen  that  your  earphone  was  in  your  father's 
safe?" 

"  I  suppose  he  picked  it  up  and  absent-mindedly 
put  it  there." 

"  But,  Judith," —  Richards  glanced  away  from 
her  — "  your  father  stated  that  he  was  taken  ill 
with  the  '  flu  '  on  Friday  a  week  ago,  and  that 
he  did  not  come  downstairs  until  yesterday. 
How  then  could  he  have  put  the  earphone  in  the 
safe  on  Tuesday  night?  " 

"  I  did  not  say  he  put  it  there  Tuesday  night," 
Judith  spoke  a  bit  sharply.  "  It  may  have  been 
there  for  days  and  I  never  would  have  missed  it, 
for  I  have  about  every  ear  instrument  ever  in- 
vented. Father  is  always  buying  some  new  in- 
vention, and  you  will  find  them  scattered  all  over 
the  house,  much  to  Mother's  annoyance."  Judith 
had  spoken  with  unusual  rapidity  and  she  came 
to  a  breathless  pause. 

"  Judith," —  Richards  hesitated  a  brief  second 
— "  what  brought  you  downstairs  on  Tuesday 
night?" 

"  I  was  looking  for  you,"  she  confessed.  "  You 
said  that  you  would  return  early  " —  with  faint 
reproach. 

"  Did  you  see  Austin  ?  "  The  question  came 
with  marked  reluctance,  and  in  the  deepening 
104 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


silence  Richards  caught  the  tick-tock  of  the  clock 
over  the  fireplace.  His  hands  tightened  their 
clasp  and  he  grew  conscious  that  hers  had  grown 
cold. 

"  I  had  no  knowledge  of  Austin's  presence  in 
the  house,"  she  stated  and  winced.  "  Don't,  Joe, 
you  are  hurting  me  " —  and  Richards  awakened 
to  the  fact  that  he  had  pressed  her  hands  with 
such  force  that  her  wedding  ring  had  cut  into 
the  delicate  flesh. 

"  Forgive  me,"  he  murmured,  and,  raising  her 
hands,  pressed  them  to  his  lips. 

"  Joe," —  Judith  had  grown  singularly  pale  and 
the  hand  she  disengaged  from  his  and  laid  on 
his  arm  was  not  quite  steady  — "  believe  me, 
dear,  when  I  say  that  I  heard  nothing  on  that 
Tuesday  night  preceding  or  following  Austin's 
death." 

"  You  heard  nothing,"  Richards  repeated ; 
neither  looked  at  the  other.  "  I  believe  you,  sweet- 
lieart."  He  kissed  her  gently.  "  You  must  not 
worry  so,  Judith;  you  will  make  yourself  ill,  and 
I  fear  I  have  kept  you  up  talking  much  too  long," 
—  in  deep  contrition  as  the  clock  chimed  ten. 
"  Come,  dear."  And  with  his  arm  thrown  pro- 
tectingly  about  her  shoulders,  ht  strolled  with  her 
to  the  door. 

105 


The  Unseen  Ear 


As  they  passed  the  card  table  Judith  caught 
sight  of  a  playing  card  lying  on  the  rug  and  her 
orderly  instinct  caused  her  to  stoop  and  pick  it 
up  just  as  the  portieres  parted  and  Mrs.  Hale 
dashed  breathlessly  into  the  library. 

"  You  haven't  gone  upstairs !  "  she  exclaimed, 
much  relieved.  "  The  most  dreadful  thing  has 
happened." 

"What?"  demanded  Judith  and  her  husband 
in  unison. 

"  Anna  has  fallen  and  sprained  her  ankle." 

"Is  that  all?"  Judith's  relief  took  the  form 
of  a  short  laugh. 

"  All  ?  Good  gracious,  to  have  a  waitress  laid 
up  is  serious  enough,  without  having  that  waitress, 
Anna,"  Mrs.  Hale  spoke  in  scandalized  disap- 
proval. "  Anna  is  the  most  useful  person  in 
the  house." 

"  I  know  she  is,"  agreed  Judith.  "  I  spoke  in 
haste,  Mother,  but  you  frightened  me;  I  thought 
something  had  happened  to  —  to  Father." 

"  Let  me  call  a  doctor,"  suggested  Richards 
practically  and  walked  toward  the  desk  phone. 
But  Mrs.  Hale  stopped  him. 

"  I  have  already  telephoned,"  she  explained. 
"  McLane  is  detained  at  the  hospital  with  a  seri- 
ous case  and  can't  come,  but  he  gave  me  explicit 
1 06 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


directions  over  the  phone,  and  I  shall  carry  them 
out."  Mrs.  Hale  had  unbounded  confidence  in 
her  medical  knowledge,  a  confidence,  however, 
not  shared  by  the  members  of  her  family.  "  But 
I  find  that  we  have  no  arnica  in  the  medicine 
chest." 

"  Let  me  go  for  it,"  volunteered  Richards  and, 
not  waiting  for  Mrs.  Hale's  voluble  thanks,  he 
started  for  the  door,  pausing  only  to  call  to 
Judith.  "  Run  upstairs,  Judith,  don't  wait  for 
me."  Snatching  up  his  hat  and  overcoat,  he  dis- 
appeared out  of  the  house,  in  his  haste  never  hear- 
ing Mrs.  Hale's  parting  injunction.  She  turned 
with  a  worried  air  to  her  daughter. 

"  I  declare,  Judith,  I  forgot  to  ask  him  to  get 
bandages." 

"  I  have  some."  Judith  slipped  her  arm  inside 
her  mother's.  "  Come  up  to  my  boudoir  and  then 
I  will  go  with  you  to  see  Anna." 

Three  quarters  of  an  hour  later,  the  arnica 
applied  and  the  swollen  ankle  neatly  bandaged, 
Judith  came  downstairs  in  quest  of  a  decanter 
of  whiskey  which  her  father  kept  carefully  se- 
creted in  the  dining  room.  Anna  had  expressed 
a  desire  for  a  "  nightcap  "  and  Mrs.  Hale  had 
begged  Judith  to  prepare  it  for  her. 

Judith  poured  out  a  liberal  portion  of  Scotch, 
107 


The  Unseen  Ear 


replaced  the  decanter  in  its  recess  behind  the  side- 
board, and  then  hastened  toward  the  door,  in- 
tending to  add  the  hot  water  when  she  reached 
Anna's  bedroom.  As  she  passed  the  drawn 
portieres  across  the  entrance  to  the  library,  her 
eyes  caught  a  ray  of  light  showing  between  its 
folds.  Judith  halted  in  surprise  and,  parting  the 
portieres,  looked  inside  the  library.  Seated  in 
her  father's  favorite  chair  was  her  uncle,  John 
Hale.  By  his  side  stood  Frank  Latirner,  both 
with  their  backs  partly  turned  toward  her.  Her 
uncle's  raised  voice  reached  her  in  the  stillness 
and  she  caught  the  mention  of  her  husband's 
name. 

"  I  know  very  little  about  Joe  Richards'  ante- 
cedents," John  Hale  stated.  "  He  seems  a  good 
fellow,  whole-souled,  well-set-up  —  educated. 
We  knew  nothing  of  Judith's  marriage  until  her 
cable  came." 

"  How  about  Richards'  financial  standing?  " 

"  Why  do  you  ask,  Frank  ?  "  John  Hale  re- 
garded his  friend  in  surprise. 

Latimer  moved  nearer.  "  The  question  is 
prompted  by  our  long  friendship,  John,  by  my 
affection  for  Judith."  The  gravity  of  his  manner 
startled  the  listening  girl.  "  I  had  to  see  you 
to-night;  I  could  not  rest  until  I  did."  Latimer 
108 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


polished  his  round  spectacles  and  adjusted  them 
with  care.  "  What  we  say  is  in  confidence.  It 
is  imperative  that  I  get  some  information  about 
Richards,  particularly  as  to  his  financial  standing. 
Has  he  money?  " 

"  He  appears  to  have  plenty  of  ready  cash," 
admitted  John  Hale  slowly.  "  I  heard  to-day 
that  he  has  applied  for  a  position  with  the  Ludlow 
'Locomotive  Works."  He  paused.  "  Tuesday 
Richards  went  to  our  bank  and  asked  for  a  loan, 
offered  to  supply  bonds  as  collateral,  and  gave  us 
as  references  —  that  is  how  I  learned  of  the  trans- 
action." 

"  Did  the  bank  make  the  loan?  " 

"  Not  yet ;  the  treasurer  consulted  me,  and  has 
the  matter  under  advisement."  Again  he  paused. 
"  It  greatly  depends  upon  the  bonds  he  offers." 

Latimer  stared  at  his  companion.  "  Good 
Lord !  "  he  groaned,  and  again  wiped  his  glasses. 
"  Listen,  John,  and  don't  breathe  a  word  of  what 
I  say,  d'ye  hear?  " 

"  I  won't,"  and  the  pledge  rang  out  clearly. 

"  Judith  came  to  my  office  this  afternoon  and 
asked  me  to  sell  ten  bonds  of  the  Troy  Valve 
Company.  I  advised  her  to  borrow  from  her 
bank,  offering  them  as  collateral,  and  before  she 
left  she  gave  me  the  bond  numbers,  3/982  to 
109 


The  Unseen  Ear 


37991.  She  hadn't  been  gone  five  minutes  when 
my  clerk  brought  me  in  ten  bonds  of  the  Troy 
Valve  Company  bearing  those  identical  numbers. 
See  for  yourself,"  and  he  laid  a  bundle  of  papers 
in  John  Hale's  hand.  "  The  bonds  had  been  sold 
to  us  not  ten  minutes  before  to  cover  margins  in 
stock  speculations  when  the  market  fell  to-day." 

"  Well,  go  on,"  urged  John  Hale. 

"  The  speculator  and  the  man  who  sold  the 
bonds  are  one  and  the  same  person  —  Joseph 
Richards.  Now,  how  did  Richards  get  hold  of 
Judith's  bonds  which,  mind  you,  she  expected  to 
bring  to  me  to-morrow  ?  " 

John  Hale,  who  had  followed  Latimer's  slow 
speech  with  absorbed  attention,  answered  almost 
automatically. 

"  Robert  confided  to  me  this  evening  that  on 
careful  examination  of  the  contents  of  his  safe  to- 
day, he  found  that  Judith's  bonds  were  missing." 
He  stopped,  then  added,  "  We  have  not  told 
Judith." 

As  the  full  meaning  of  her  uncle's  words 
dawned  on  Judith  she  swayed  upon  her  feet  and 
in  desperation  clutched  the  glass  and  prevented 
it  from  slipping  through  her  shaking  fingers. 
Very  softly  she  tiptoed  through  the  dining  room 
and  out  into  the  central  hall.  At  the  stairs  she 
no 


The  Knave  of  Hearts 


paused  and,  raising  the  glass,  swallowed  some  of 
Anna's  "  nightcap."  She  was  hardly  conscious 
of  the  fiery  undiluted  liquor  which  burned  her 
tongue  and  throat,  but  under  the  false  strength 
it  engendered  she  hurried  up  the  staircase  and 
came  face  to  face  with  her  husband  on  the  top 
landing. 

His  face  cleared  at  sight  of  her.  "  I  was 
hurrying  to  find  you,"  he  explained,  and  took  the 
glass  from  her.  "  Your  mother  told  me  that  she 
had  sent  you  for  this.  I'll  take  it  to  Anna.  Go 
to  bed,  dearest."  And  he  sped  away  as  Judith 
turned  into  their  boudoir. 

With  slow,  uncertain  steps  Judith  made  her 
way  to  her  dressing  table  and  fell  rather  than  sat 
in  the  chair  standing  before  it. 

Her  bonds  had  been  stolen  —  Joe  had  sold  them 
to  Latimer  to  cover  losses  in  speculation.  The 
words  rang  their  changes  —  but  their  distinct 
meaning  beat  itself  against  her  brain  and,  with  a 
low  moan  of  anguish,  she  bowed  her  head  upon 
her  arms,  thereby  displacing  the  playing  card 
which  she  had  picked  up  earlier  that  evening  in 
the  library  and  flung  unheeded  on  her  dressing 
table.  The  red  of  it  caught  and  held  her  eye, 
and  suddenly  she  laughed  loudly  —  unrestrain- 
edly. 

ill 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  The  Knave  of  Hearts !  "  she  gasped  between 
her  bursts  of  merriment. 

As  Judith's  hysterical  laughter  echoed  through 
the  open  door  into  the  boudoir,  a  figure  just  enter- 
ing it,  paused,  listened  a  moment,  then  with  bent 
head,  retreated  cautiously  into  the  hall  and  stole 
silently  away. 


CHAPTER  VIII 
PRO  AND  CON 

AT  sight  of  John  Hale  towering  head  and 
shoulders  above  the  others  in  the  outer 
office   of   Latimer  and   House,    Stock- 
brokers, the  senior  partner  hastily  excused  him- 
self from  several  persistent  clients  and  sent  his 
messenger  to  bring  John  Hale  into  his  private 
office. 

"Well?"  he  demanded  without  further  greet- 
ing.    "Well,   has  the  night  brought  counsel?" 

John  Hale  tipped  the  revolving  chair  he  was 
occupying  back  to  its  limit  before  replying. 

"  The  night  brought  nothing  but  sleeplessness," 
he  groaned.  "  Whichever  way  you  look  at  it, 
Frank,  it's  a  damnable  situation.  Judith's  bonds 
missing  from  her  father's  safe  and  discovered  in 
her  husband's  possession,  and  Austin  found 
stabbed  to  death  within  a  few  feet  of  the  opened 
safe  in  which  her  bonds  were  kept.  My  God! 
Frank," — he  bent  nearer  and  Latimer  saw  the 
beads  of  perspiration  standing  on  his  brow, — 
"  do  you  realize  all  that  that  implies?" 
"3 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  You  mean  that  Joe  Richards  opened  the  safe, 
stole  the  bonds  and,  caught  in  the  act  by  Austin, 
killed  him?  "  asked  Latimer. 

"  Yes,  that's  about  it."  John  Hale  twirled  his 
walking  stick  about.  "  Well,  it  tallies,  doesn't 
it  ?  "  and  only  by  an  effort  of  will  did  he  hide  a 
touch  of  eagerness. 

Latimer  pondered  a  moment  before  replying. 
"  Yes,  it  tallies,"  he  agreed,  "  but  you  have  no 
evidence  to  substantiate  it.  For  instance,  to  open 
the  safe  Richards  had  to  know  the  combination." 

"  Well,  he  might  have  picked  it  up." 

"  True,  he  might  have,  but  you  will  have  to 
prove  that  he  did." 

"  I  prove  it?  "  John  Hale's  heavy  brows  met 
in  a  scowl.  "  That's  the  %  detective's  job,  not 
mine." 

"  I  used  the  pronoun  to  imply  the  prosecution, 
and  not  in  its  personal  application,"  Latimer  ex- 
plained. "  Where  was  Richards  on  Tuesday 
night?" 

"  Playing  billiards  at  the  club." 

"  Have  you  proof  of  the  exact  time  he  left 
there?" 

"  No,  but  I'll  get  it,"  and  John  Hale's  tone  im- 
plied grim  determination. 

"  Then    suppose   you  make   inquiries   at    the 
114 


Pro  and  Con 


club,"  suggested  Latimer;  "  but  be  guarded,  John. 
Every  one's  attention  is  focused  on  Austin's  mur- 
der and  you  might  start  an  ugly  scandal." 

John  Hale  reddened.  "  Well,  what  if  I  do?  " 
he  grumbled.  "  The  situation  couldn't  be  much 
worse  than  it  is  to-day," —  shooting  a  defiant  look 
at  his  friend.  "  Austin  murdered  under  mysteri- 
ous circumstances,  and  the  police  haunting  our 
house,  not  to  mention  the  morbid  sight-seers  who 
gather  about  it.  I  cannot  stir  out  of  the  place 
without  encountering  curious  glances.  Even  at 
the  club  there's  excitement  whenever  I  appear  — 
and  the  newspaper  men!"  He  struck  the  desk 
a  resounding  blow  with  his  clenched  fist.  "  Damn 
it!  If  Richards  murdered  Austin  he'll  swing  for 
it  —  I  con't  care  if  he's  married  Judith  a  dozen 
times  over." 

"  Easy,  easy,"  cautioned  Latimer.  "  Cool 
down,  John,  and  let  us  discuss  this  matter  ration- 
ally. What  have  we  discovered  against  Rich- 
ards?" 

"  That  he  was  playing  the  market,  that  he  was 
in  need  of  funds,  and  that  he  had  in  his  posses- 
sion bonds  belonging  to  Judith  which  had  been 
stolen  on  Tuesday  night  from  my  brother's  safe, 
near  which  we  found  Austin's  body  in  the  small 
hours  of  Wednesday  morning."  John  Hale 


The  Unseen  Ear 


moderated  his  excited  manner.     "  Pretty  damn- 
ing evidence." 

"  As  far  as  it  goes,"  agreed  Latimer.  "  Now, 
to  make  it  conclusive  you  must  prove;  first,  that 
Richards  was  at  your  house  between  Tuesday 
midnight  and  one  A.  M.  Wednesday ;  and  secondly, 
that  he  knew  the  combination  of  your  brother's 
safe.  Recollect,  it  was  not  forced  open." 

"  I'll  make  it  my  business  to  find  out."  John 
Hale  reached  for  his  hat  and  his  gloves  which 
he  had  tossed  on  the  desk.  "  I  am  also  go- 
ing to  have  inquiries  made  regarding  Richards' 
career." 

"  An  excellent  idea,"  exclaimed  Latimer. 
"  But  you  had  better  employ  a  private  detective 
agency,  John,  rather  than  the  local  police.  Try 
the  Burroughs  Company,  they  handled  some  work 
for  our  firm  when  Johnston,  the  bank  cashier, 
hypothecated  stock  belonging  to  us." 

"Where's  their  office?"  asked  John  Hale, 
jotting  down  the  name  on  the  back  of  an  envelope. 

"  In  the  Fendall  Building,  corner  of  John 
Marshall  Place." 

John  Hale  completed  the  address  and  replaced 
the  envelope  in  his  breast  pocket. 

"  Listen,  Frank,"  he  began.     "  Austin's  mur- 
der   was    unpremeditated  —  the    weapon    used 
116 


Pro  and  Con 

proves  that.  No  man  would  deliberately  kill  an- 
other with  a  pair  of  shears." 

Latimer  shook  his  head  in  doubt.  "  You  are 
taking  a  great  deal  for  granted,"  he  protested. 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,"  vigorously.  "  Austin 
caught  Richards  going  through  the  safe  and 
Richards  grabbed  the  first  thing  handy  —  Judith's 
shears."  Latimer  said  nothing,  and  after  a 
brief  pause  John  Hale  continued.  "  The  crime 
was  committed  by  some  one  familiar  with  the 
habits  of  our  household  —  the  police  claim  that. 
No  better  time  could  have  been  selected  for  rifling 
^Robert's  safe.  He  was  ill  in  bed,  and  Agatha 
and  I  were  attending  the  French  Embassy  recep- 
tion and,  by  the  way,  we  decided  to  go  only  at 
the  last  moment  —  that's  an  important  point." 

"You  mean " 

"  Richards  was  present  when  I  told  Agatha  that 
I  would  take  her  to  the  reception,  and  he  left  the 
house  immediately  afterward."  John  Hale  was 
becoming  excited  again.  "  Thus,  Richards  knew 
that  the  coast  would  be  clear." 

"  Hold  on,  he  was  aware  that  Judith  was  at 
home,  and  the  servants,  also,"  objected  Latimer. 

"Sure,  and  he  knew  that  our  servants  retire 
early.  Anna  sees  to  the  closing  of  the  house,  and 
she  is  very  strict  with  the  other  servants."  John 
117 


The  Unseen  Ear 


Hale  rose  abruptly  and  emphasized  his  words  by 
striking  his  cane  against  the  floor.  "  And  Rich- 
ards knew  that  Judith  would  not  be  likely  to  hear 
him,  and  if  she  did — " 

"Well,  what  then?  "  as  John  Hale  paused. 

"  He  probably  had  a  plausible  excuse  handy. 
Oh,  he  could  have  manufactured  some  story  which 
Judith  would  have  swallowed,"  retorted  John 
Hale.  "  Remember,  they  haven't  been  married 
long." 

Latimer  frowned.  "  Who  is  going  to  tell 
Judith  about  the  theft  of  her  bonds  ?  "  he  asked, 
rising  also. 

"  It's  up  to  you."  John  Hale  moved  uneasily 
and  glanced  away  from  his  companion.  "  Judith 
came  to  you  about  her  bonds." 

"  Dash  it  all,  John !  "  Latimer  spoke  with  tem- 
per. "  I'm  damned  if  I  will.  Don't  you  realize 
that  Judith  worships  her  husband?  " 

"  Well,  it's  not  the  first  time  a  woman  has  been 
deceived  in  a  man,"  replied  Hale  cynically. 
"  What  did  she  marry  for  in  such  an  all-fired 
hurry?  I  am  sorry  for  Judith,  but  she  must 
'  dree  her  weird.' ' 

Whatever  reply  Latimer  intended  making  was 
interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  a  clerk. 

"  This  special  delivery  letter  has  just  come  for 
118 


Pro  and  Con 


you,  sir,"  he  explained  handing  it  to  Latimer. 
Then,  with  a  polite  bow  to  John  Hale,  of  which 
the  latter  took  not  the  slightest  notice,  the  clerk 
departed. 

Latimer  tore  open  the  envelope  and  ran  his 
eyes  down  the  written  page  to  the  signature.  An 
exclamation  escaped  him. 

"  It  is  from  Judith,"  he  said.     "  Listen : 

DEAR  FRANK: 

I  gave  my  Valve  bonds  to  Joe  to  use  as  he  saw  fit, 
and  he  tells  me  that  he  took  the  shares  to  you  and  you 
were  kind  enough  to  arrange  the  business  for  him,  so 
I  shall  not  need  the  $1,000  after  all. 

Please  don't  tell  the  family  that  I've  become  a  bit  of 
a  gambler;  Joe  doesn't  quite  approve  of  a  woman 
speculating,  but  —  he's  dear  about  it. 

Thanks  for  all  your  kindness. 

Faithfully, 

JUDITH  RICHARDS. 

Latimer  and  John  Hale  stared  at  each  other. 

"  Let  me  see  that  letter,"  the  latter  demanded, 
and  he  read  it  twice  before  handing  it  back  to 
Latimer.  "  What  do  you  make  of  it  ?  " 

Latimer  laughed  heartily.  "  Thank  God  I 
shan't  have  to  break  any  unpleasant  news  to  her," 
he  exclaimed.  "  But  the  inconsistency  of  women ! 
To  come  to  me  for  advice  and  then  get  her  hus- 
band to  do  exactly  what  I  advised  her  not  to." 
119 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  What  was  your  advice?  " 

"  To  use  the  bonds  as  collateral  at  a  bank  and 
not  sell  them." 

John  Hale  studied  him  in  thoughtful  silence 
for  a  minute. 

"  When  did  Richards  bring  the  bonds  here, 
Frank?"  he  asked.  "Was  it  some  time  after 
Judith  left?" 

"  No ;  come  to  think  of  it,  he  must  have  been 
in  the  outer  office  when  Judith  was  talking  to  me," 
responded  Latimer,  and  his  face  grew  grave  once 
again. 

"And  Judith  states" — John  Hale  picked  up 
his  niece's  letter  — "  '  I  gave  my  Valve  bonds  to 
Joe  to  use  as  he  saw  fit  and  he  tells  me  that  he 
took  the  bonds  to  you  — '  Did  Judith  mention 
to  you  where  she  had  the  bonds?  " 

"  Now  that  you  speak  of  it,  she  did  say  that 
they  were  in  her  father's  safe."  Latimer 
eyed  John  Hale  sharply.  "  What  are  you  driving 
at?" 

"  Simply  this,  that  if  Richards  was  in  your 
front  office  with  the  bonds  in  his  possession,  they 
could  not  have  been  where  Judith  thought  them 
—  in  her  father's  safe.  Secondly," — and  John 
Hale's  voice  deepened  — "  there  was  no  time  for 
Judith  to  return  home,  get  the  bonds  and  give 
1 20 


Pro  and  Con 


them  to  Richards  before  he  sold  them  to  your 
clerk  here  in  your  outer  office.     Isn't  that  right  ?  " 

"  Yes."  Latimer's  worried  look  returned. 
"  By  Jove,  you  think  —  ?  " 

"  That  Judith  has  discovered  that  her  bonds 
are  missing." 

"  Do  you  suppose  your  brother  told  her?  " 

"  I  hardly  think  so,  for  he  swore  me  to 
secrecy,"  replied  John  Hale.  "  No,  Judith  must 
have  gone  to  get  the  bonds  and  found  them  miss- 
ing from  the  safe." 

"  But,  good  Lord !  How  did  she  know  that 
her  husband  had  brought  the  bonds  to  me  ?  "  de- 
manded Latimer. 

"  Ask  me  something  easy."  Hale  swung  his 
cane  around  and  stepped  briskly  to  the  door. 
"  But  depend  on  it,  Frank,  I'll  find  an  answer  to 
that  question  before  I'm  many  hours  older." 
And  he  banged  out  of  the  door. 

Latimer  strode  thoughtfully  up  and  down  his 
office,  then  reseated  himself  at  his  desk. 

"What's  come  over  John?"  he  muttered. 
"  He  seemed  anxious," —  he  paused  — "  no,  more 
than  anxious, —  determined, —  to  fix  the  guilt  on 
Joe  Richards." 

He  leaned   forward  and  eyed  Judith's  letter, 
reading  it  slowly,  conning  over  the  words,  and 
121 


The  Unseen  Ear 


when  he  straightened  up  there  was  a  gleam  of 
frank  admiration  in  his  eyes. 

"  You  are  a  loyal  woman,  Judith,"  he  ex- 
claimed, unconscious  that  he  spoke  aloud.  "  As 
well  as  *  a  bit  of  a  gambler.'  " 


CHAPTER  IX 
HALF  A  SHEET 

POLLY  DAVIS  closed  the  vestibule  door 
of  her  home  in  C  Street  with  a  veritable 
slam  and  proceeded  up  the  street  oblivi- 
ous of  greetings  from  several  of  her  neighbors. 
The  street,  celebrated  in  its  day  for  having  among 
the  occupants  of  its  stately  old-fashioned  brick 
houses  such  personages  as  John  C.  Fremont,  John 
C.  Calhoun,  and  General  Winfield  Scott,  was 
chiefly  given  over  to  modern  business  enterprises, 
and  only  a  few  "  Cave-dwellers  "  (the  name  be- 
stowed upon  Washingtonians  by  an  earnest 
"  climber  "  to  its  exclusive  resident  circles)  still 
occupied  the  homes  of  their  ancestors. 

Polly  slackened  her  swift  walk  into  a  saunter 
as  she  turned  the  corner  from  C  Street  into  John 
Marshall  Place.  On  reaching  D  Street  she  ac- 
celerated her  speed  somewhat  on  catching  sight  of 
an  approaching  street  car,  but  it  did  not  stop  to 
take  on  passengers,  and  Polly  walked  back  to  the 
curb  with  an  uncomplimentary  opinion  of  the 
service  of  one  of  Washington's  public  utilities. 
123 


The  Unseen  Ear 


She  waited  in  indecision  on  the  corner,  then  open- 
ing her  hand  bag,  took  from  it  a  scrap  of  paper 
and  consulted  the  name  written  thereon.  After 
studying  the  paper  for  a  minute,  she  turned  and 
eyed  the  large,  red  brick  and  stone  trimmed  office 
building  standing  on  the  southeast  corner  facing 
the  District  Court  House.  She  had  seen  the 
Fendall  Building  innumerable  times  since  her 
childhood  days,  but  never  before  had  it  held  her 
interest. 

There  was  a  certain  set  air  to  Polly's  shoulders, 
which,  to  one  acquainted  with  her  characteristics, 
indicated  obstinacy,  as  she  crossed  the  street  and 
entered  the  Fendall  Building.  She  paused  in  the 
lobby  in  front  of  the  floor  directory  and  then 
continued  to  the  second  story.  At  the  far  end  of 
the  corridor  she  stopped  before  a  closed  door 
bearing  on  its  ground  glass  the  title,  in  gold  let- 
tering : 

Burroughs  Detective  Agency 
ALFRED  BURROUGHS,  Prop. 

Polly  returned  to  her  hand  bag  the  scrap  of 
paper  which  she  still  held  tightly  between  the 
fingers  of  her  left  hand,  took  out  a  visiting  card, 
and  stepped  inside  the  office.  There  was  no  one 
in  the  room,  and,  with  a  surprised  glance  about 
124 


Half  a  Sheet 

her,  Polly  crossed  to  a  door  evidently  leading  to 
an  inner  office.  The  door  was  only  partly  closed, 
and  through  the  opening  a  familiar  voice  floated 
out  to  her-j — 

"  I  depend  upon  your  discretion,  Mr.  Bur- 
roughs. Remember,  my  name  must  not  be  men- 
tioned in  connection  with  your  employment  in  the 
case  — "  The  grating  sound  of  chairs  being 
pushed  back  followed,  and  any  answer  was 
drowned  thereby. 

The  hand  which  Polly  had  extended  to  knock 
against  the  panel  of  the  door  fell  nerveless  to  her 
side.  With  eyes  distended  to  twice  their  normal 
size,  she  retraced  her  footsteps  out  of  the  office 
and  the  building. 

When  Polly  reached  the  Hale  residence  she 
was  admitted  by  the  parlor  maid  instead  of  the 
ever  smiling  Anna. 

"  Mr.  Hale  left  word,  Miss  Polly,  that  you 
were  to  go  to  Mrs.  Hale,"  Maud  announced,  help- 
ing Polly  off  with  her  coat  and  hat. 

"Oh,"  Polly  paused.  "Where  is  Mrs. 
Hale?" 

"  I  don't  rightly  know,  miss."     Maud  emerged 

from  the  depths  of  the  hall  closet  where  she  had 

hung  Polly's  wraps.     "  Mrs.  Hale  came  in  not 

three  minutes  ago.     I  think  she  has  gone  to  her 

125 


The  Unseen  Ear 


bedroom.     Will  you  have  some  lunch  now,  miss, 
or  a  little  later?" 

"  A  little  later,  thanks  " —  Polly  regarded  the 
hall  clock.  "  I  had  no  idea  it  was  nearly  noon. 
You  will  find  me  with  Mrs.  Hale,  Maud." 

"  Very  good,  miss,"  and  they  separated,  the 
maid  going  to  her  pantry,  and  Polly  in  search  of 
Mrs.  Hale.  She  found  that  energetic  matron 
just  crossing  the  hall  toward  Judith's  boudoir. 
At  the  sound  of  Polly's  hail  she  faced  around. 

"Is  it  you,  Polly!"  Mrs.  Hale  frequently 
asked  the  obvious.  "  My  dear,  aren't  you  very 
late  to-day?" 

Polly  blushed  at  the  emphasis  on  the  adjective. 
"  A  little  later  than  ordinary,"  she  answered  good- 
naturedly.  "  I  will  make  up  the  time,  Mrs.  Hale, 
and  your  husband's  manuscript  will  be  completed 
without  delay.  Maud  said  that  your  husband  left 
word  that  I  was  to  report  to  you." 

"  Did  he?  "  Mrs.  Hale  regarded  her  in  some 
perplexity.  "  Why,  last  night  he  decided  that 
you  were  not  strong  enough  to  aid  me  in  answer- 
ing my  letters;  he  must  have  changed  his  mind, 
for  he  wouldn't  have  sent  you  to  me  for  anything 
else." 

Polly's  attention  had  been  caught  by  one  phrase 
and  the  rest  of  Mrs.  Hale's  speech  went  unheeded. 
126 


Half  a  Sheet 

"Your  husband  said  I  was  not  strong?"  she 
questioned.  "  I  am  quite  well.  What  made  him 
think  otherwise  ?  " 

"  Judith  put  the  idea  in  his  head."  Mrs.  Hale 
led  the  way  into  the  boudoir  as  she  spoke  and 
selected  a  chair  near  her  daughter's  desk,  on 
which  were  piled  the  notes  of  condolence,  in  an- 
ticipation of  Richards'  answering  them  under 
Judith's  supervision.  "  Judith  is  very  much  wor- 
ried about  your  health,  my  dear." 

"  That  is  very  kind  of  Judith."  Polly  slipped 
into  the  seat  before  Judith's  desk  at  a  sign  from 
Mrs.  Hale.  "  But  your  daughter  is  mistaken.  I 
am  not  in  the  least  ill." 

"  I  am  delighted  to  hear  it."  Mrs.  Hale  looked 
at  her  husband's  pretty  secretary  with  approval. 
"  Judith  is  always  so  positive  in  her  statements. 
I  could  not  see  that  you  looked  run  down,  but 
she  insisted  that  you  needed  a  change,  and 
arranged  with  Mr.  Hale  to  give  you  a  vaca- 
tion." 

"  Indeed !  "  The  frigid  exclamation  escaped 
Polly  unwittingly,  but  Mrs.  Hale  apparently  was 
oblivious  of  the  girl's  chilly  reception  of  Judith's 
plans. 

"  I  am  glad  you  don't  require  a  vacation,"  she 
went  on.     "  Mr.  Hale  is  particularly  in  need  of 
127 


The  Unseen  Ear 


your  services,  and  it  would  be  most  unkind  to 
leave  him  in  the  lurch." 

"  I  have  no  intention  of  doing  so,  Mrs.  Hale," 
declared  Polly  with  some  warmth.  "  Aside  from 
the  question  of  my  not  being  able  to  afford  a 
vacation,  gratitude  to  Mr.  Hale,  alone,  would  pre- 
vent me  from  going  away  just  now."  She  passed 
owe  restless  hand  over  the  other.  "  What  pos- 
sessed Judith  to  wish  to  get  rid  of  me  2  " 

"  Now,  my  dear," —  Mrs.  Hale  held  up  a  pro- 
testing hand  — "  don't  get  such  a  notion  in  your 
head.  Judith  is  devoted  to  you;  we  all  are,  but 
she  imagined  —  you  know  Judith  greatly  depends 
upon  her  imagination  —  she  is  so,  so," — hunting 
about  for  a  word — "so  shut  in  with  her  deaf- 
ness, and  she  is  forever  imagining  things  about 
people." 

"  And  what  does  she  imagine  about  me  ?  "  asked 
Polly,  as  Mrs.  Hale  came  to  a  somewhat  incoher- 
ent pause. 

"  That  you  were  on  the  point  of  nervous  pros- 
tration — " 

Polly  laughed  a  bit  unsteadily.  "  Only  the 
wealthy  can  afford  nervous  '  prosperity,'  and  I  am 
not  in  that  class,"  she  said.  "  I  must  work  — 
work!"  She  spoke  with  nervous  vehemence; 
Mrs.  Hale's  surprised  expression  checked  her ;  and 

I2S 


Half  a  Sheet 

with  an  effort  she  regained  her  self-control. 
"  What  can  I  do  for  you?  " 

"  Answer  these  notes,"  and  Mrs.  Hale  laid  her 
hand  on  them.  "  Take  this  black-edged  note 
paper,"  holding  out  a  box  she  had  brought  with 
her. 

Mrs.  Hale's  powers  of  observation  were  wool- 
gathering as  she  dictated  her  answers,  first  read- 
ing each  letter  in  a  monotone  —  in  itself  enough 
to  try  the  steadiest  nerves  —  before  composing 
its  answer;  then  losing  her  place  and  having  to 
be  prompted,  which  added  to  her  already  confused 
state  of  mind.  Every  expression  of  sympathy  in 
the  notes  brought  tears  in  its  train,  and  if  the 
steady  application  of  Mrs.  Hale's  handkerchief 
proved  an  additional  barrier  to  the  speedy  com- 
pletion of  her  task,  it  also  prevented  her  perceiv- 
ing the  wavering  writing  of  Polly's  swiftly  mov- 
ing pen. 

"  Austin  was  very  much  beloved,"  she  re- 
marked. "  I  cannot  understand,  as  I  told  my 
husband  over  and  over,  I  cannot  understand  who 
would  have  a  motive  for  killing  him.  It  is  be- 
yond me." 

"  Yes,"  murmured  Polly.  She  laid  down  her 
pen  and  rubbed  her  stiff  fingers.  There  still  re- 
mained numerous  notes  to  answer.  "  Dear  Mrs. 
129 


The  Unseen  Ear 


Hale,  let  me  finish  answering  these  later  on. 
You  must  be  exhausted." 

"  No,  they  must  be  completed  now,"  Mrs.  Hale 
spoke  with  firmness,  and  Polly,  hiding  her  un- 
steady fingers  under  pretense  of  searching  for 
another  pen  among  Judith's  papers,  resigned  her- 
self to  the  situation.  "Judith  suggested  that  I 
order  an  engraved  card  of  acknowledgment,  but  I 
desire  an  individual  letter  sent  to  each  of  our 
friends.  It  will  not  take  much  more  of  your 
time,"  observing  Polly's  eyes  stray  to  her  wrist- 
watch. 

"  Will  you  let  me  complete  the  letters  this  after- 
noon ?  "  Polly  asked.  "  I  have  not  touched  my 
regular  work  for  your  husband,  and  it  is  nearly 
your  luncheon  hour." 

"  Luncheon  will  be  half  an  hour  later  to-day," 
responded  Mrs.  Hale.  "  Anna  is  laid  up  and 
Maud  asked  for  more  time.  She  is  not  very 
quick  at  her  work,  you  know." 

"  Anna  ill !  That  is  too  bad,"  exclaimed  Polly. 
"  I  hope  it  is  nothing  serious." 

"  A  sprained  ankle."  Mrs.  Hale  leaned  back 
in  her  chair  and  relaxed;  she  felt  the  need  of  a 
little  gossip,  for  in  spite  of  her  insistence  on  com- 
pleting her  letters,  the  steady  application  was 
commencing  to  wear  upon  her.  "  When  any- 
130 


Half  a  Sheet 

thing  goes  wrong  with  Anna  the  whole  house  is 
upset." 

"  She  is  certainly  a  domestic  treasure,"  agreed 
Polly.  "  How  many  years  has  she  been  with 
you?" 

Mrs.  Hale  considered  before  answering. 
"  She  came  to  us  at  the  time  Austin  had  typhoid 
fever;  the  trained  nurse  wanted  a  helper  —  what 
did  she  call  Anna?" 

"  Nurse's  aide  ?  "  suggested  Polly. 

"  That  was  it,"  and  Mrs.  Hale  smiled.  "  We 
persuaded  her  to  stay  on  as  waitress." 

"  How  did  you  manage  it,  Mrs.  Hale?  "  asked 
Polly.  Another  glance  at  her  watch  showed  her 
that  the  announcement  of  luncheon  must  shortly 
occur,  and  she  wished  above  all  not  to  resume 
answering  letters  of  condolence.  "  It  has  always 
struck  me  that  Anna  was  very  much  above  the 
regular  servant  class." 

"  So  she  is,  my  dear,"  Mrs.  Hale  was  launched 
on  her  favorite  topic.  "  But  Mr.  Hale  offered 
her  such  high  wages,  really  ridiculous  wages  at 
the  time,  that  it  wouldn't  have  been  in  human 
nature  to  resist  his  offer.  I  must  say  for  Anna 
that  she  has  earned  every  cent  we  pay  her. 
Lately  " —  Mrs.  Hale  hesitated  and  surveyed  the 
boudoir  to  make  sure  that  the  hall  door  was  closed 


The  Unseen  Ear 


— "  lately,  Anna  has  appeared  so  —  so  absent- 
minded.  Do  you  suppose  it  can  be  a  love  affair  ?  " 

"  The  most  natural  supposition  in  the  world," 
smiled  Polly.  "  Anna  is  a  remarkably  pretty 
girl." 

"  So  she  is,"  Mrs.  Hale  nodded  her  head  in 
agreement.  "  I  suspect  it  is  that  new  clerk  in  the 
drug  store.  I  meet  them  quite  often  walking  to- 
gether, and  I  called  Austin's  attention  to  them 
when  he  was  last  in  Washington,  just  six  weeks 
ago  to-day."  Mrs.  Hale  looked  at  the  calendar 
hanging  near  Judith's  desk  to  be  sure  of  her  facts, 
"  Polly,  if  I  tell  you  something  will  you  promise 
to  hold  your  tongue  about  it  ?  " 

Polly  stared  at  Mrs.  Hale  —  the  latter's  tone 
had  completely  changed  and  her  customary 
irresponsible  manner  had  become  one  of  sup- 
pressed anxiety. 

"  Certainly,  Mrs.  Hale,"  she  replied,  and  her 
manner  reflected  the  other's  seriousness.  "  I  will 
consider  whatever  you  say  as  confidential." 

"  First,  answer  this,  on  your  word  of  honor," 
—  and  Polly's  wonderment  grew  as  Mrs.  Hale 
hitched  her  chair  nearer,  and  her  voice  gained  in 
seriousness.  "  Have  you  come  across  a  small 
piece  of  yellow  paper;  it  is  folded  and  has  the 
word  '  Copy  '  as  a  watermark  ?  "  Seeing  Polly's 
132 


Half  a  Sheet 

uncomprehending  stare,  she  added  impatiently, 
"  The  kind  reporters  use  in  newspaper  offices. 
Have  you  seen  such  a  paper  among  my  husband's 
correspondence?  " 

"  No,  Mrs.  Hale;  not  as  you  describe  it,"  Polly 
shook  a  puzzled  head.  "  I  may  not  have  noticed 
the  word  '  Copy,'  though.  Was  there  anything 
else  to  identify  it?  " 

Mrs.  Hale  thought  a  minute,  then  came  to  a 
decision.  "  It  is  no  matter,"  she  said  brusquely. 
"  Forget  I  mentioned  it ;  there  is  a  more  pressing 
matter  " —  from  her  silver  mesh  purse  she  drew 
out  a  much  creased  letter.  "  Read  that,"  she 
directed,  and  held  it  almost  under  Polly's  nose, 
*'  but  not  aloud,  read  it  to  yourself." 

Obediently  Polly  took  the  paper  and,  holding 
it  at  the  proper  focus,  read : 

DEAR  AUNT  AGATHA: 

I  started  for  San  Francisco  on  the  midnight  train, 
so  forgive  this  hasty  scrawl  in  answer  to  your  long 
letter.  I  will  see  the  happy  bride  and  groom  on  my 
return.  Sorry  Uncle  Robert  doesn't  like  Richards. 
I  found  on  inquiry  that  Richards  

Polly  turned  the  letter  over  —  the  second  sheet 
was  missing.  The  young  girl  looked  in  bewilder- 
ment at  Mrs.  Hale. 

"  Have  you  the  end  of  the  letter?  "  she  asked. 
133 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  No,  that  is  all  there  is  to  it." 

"  This  " —  Polly  turned  it  over  again.  "  Why, 
it  is  not  even  signed." 

"  But  it  is  in  Austin  Hale's  handwriting," 
asserted  Mrs.  Hale.  "  You  know  it  is, 
Polly." 

Polly  again  inspected  the  clear,  distinctive  writ- 
ing. She  had  seen  it  too  often  to  be  mistaken  in 
identifying  the  chirography. 

"  It  looks  like  Austin's  writing,"  she  qualified. 
"  When  did  you  receive  the  letter  and  what  does 
it  mean  ?  " 

"  Mean  ?  We'll  come  to  that  later,"  Mrs.  Hale 
lowered  her  voice  to  a  confidential  pitch.  "  You 
see  the  date  there,"  indicating  it,  and  Polly  nod- 
ded. "  The  letter  was  begun  on  Tuesday  in  New 
York,  and  Austin  was  murdered  between  Tues- 
day midnight  and  one  A.  M.  Wednesday  here  in 
Washington." 

"  He  was " 

"Of  course  he  was."  Patience  was  never  Mrs. 
Hale's  strong  point.  "  Now,  Polly,  let  us  dis- 
sect this  letter.  On  Tuesday  in  New  York  Austin 
states  that  he  is  to  take  the  midnight  train  for 
San  Francisco ;  instead  of  that  he  comes  to  Wash- 
ington. Why  ?  "  And  having  propounded  the 
conundrum,  Mrs.  Hale  sat  back  and  contemplated 
134 


Half  a  Sheet 

Polly.  There  was  a  distinct  pause  before  the  girl 
replied. 

"  I  cannot  answer  your  question,  Mrs.  Hale." 
Polly  avoided  raising  her  eyes  as  she  turned  the 
letter  over  once  again  and  looked  at  the  blank 
side.  It  was  a  small-sized  sheet  of  note  paper 
of  good  quality,  and  Austin's  large  writing  com- 
pletely filled  the  first  page.  Polly  held  the  letter 
nearer  Mrs.  Hale. 

"  The  back  sheet  has  been  torn  off/'  she  pointed 
out.  "  See,  the  edges  are  rough  and  uneven." 

"  So  I  observed."  Mrs.  Hale  was  a  trifle  non- 
plussed. She  had  anticipated  more  excitement  on 
Polly's  part,  and  the  girl's  composure  was  a  sur- 
prise. That  Polly  was  maintaining  her  compo- 
sure through  sheer  will  power,  Mrs.  Hale  was  too 
obtuse  to  detect.  She  was  convinced,  however, 
that  Polly  had  been  more  than  ordinarily  attracted 
by  Austin  Hale's  good  looks  and  his  marked  at- 
tention to  her  charming  self.  It  was  not  in 
human  nature,  Mrs.  Hale  argued,  that  a  young 
and  penniless  girl  would  refuse  a  wealthy  young 
man,  especially  not  in  favor  of  a  man  of  John 
Hale's  age.  It  was  absurd  of  Joe  Richards  to  in- 
sinuate that  her  brother-in-law  might  have  sup- 
planted Austin  in  Polly's  affections.  Having 
once  gotten  an  idea  in  her  head  no  power  on  earth 
135 


The  Unseen  Ear 


could  dislodge  it,  and  Mrs.  Hale,  to  prove  her 
viewpoint,  had  decided  to  investigate  the  mystery 
of  Austin's  death  to  her  own  satisfaction.  Mrs. 
Hale  thought  over  Polly's  conduct  for  several 
minutes,  then  changed  her  tactics. 

"Had  you  heard  recently  from  Austin?"  she 
asked,  and  at  the  direct  question  Polly  changed 
color. 

"  Not  since  this  letter  to  you,"  she  replied 
calmly  and  Mrs.  Hale,  intent  on  framing  her  next 
question,  failed  to  analyze  her  answer. 

"  Did  he  make  any  reference  to  coming  to 
Washington  ?  " 

"  Only  in  a  general  way,"  and  before  Mrs. 
Hale  could  question  her  further,  she  added,  "  His 
letter  of  ten  days  ago  said  that  he  might  be  here 
in  April." 

"  Ah!  "  Mrs.  Hale  felt  that  she  had  scored  a 
point.  "  That  goes  to  prove  that  Austin's  trip 
here  Tuesday  was  unexpected." 

"  So  unexpected  that  he  never  even  wired  you," 
supplemented  Polly,  and  Mrs.  Hale  eyed  her 
sharply. 

"  True,"  she  replied.  "  It  must  have  been 
something  frightfully  urgent  that  brought  him 
here  —  to  his  death." 

Polly  shivered  slightly  and  laid  down  the  letter. 
136 


Half  a  Sheet 

"  When  did  Austin  mail  this  letter  to  you  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know." 

Polly  glanced  at  her  in  surprise.  "  Was  there 
no  postmark  on  the  envelope  ?  " 

"  There  was  no  envelope." 

"  What!  "  Polly  half  rose  then  dropped  back 
in  her  seat.  "  No  envelope?  Then  how  did  you 
get  the  letter  ?  " 

Mrs.  Hale  looked  carefully  around  to  make 
sure  that  no  one  had  entered  the  boudoir  or  was 
within  earshot.  Her  next  remark  ignored  Polly's 
question. 

"  I  have  not  shown  Austin's  letter  to  my  hus- 
band," she  began.  "  Mr.  Hale  does  not  always 
view  matters  from  my  standpoint,  and  he  might 
be  displeased  at  my  having  mentioned  to  Austin 
that  he  was  disappointed  in  Judith's  choice  of  a 
husband.  Therefore,  Polly,  you  will  say  noth- 
ing to  him." 

"  Certainly  not,"  agreed  Polly.  "  But  about 
the  letter  — " 

"  Nor  mention  the  letter  to  Judith,"  pursued 
Mrs.  Hale,  paying  no  attention  to  Polly's  attempt 
to  question  her.  "  I  shall  not  discuss  it  with 
Judith,  for  she  might  readily  resent  my  writing 
Austin  to  find  out  something  about  her  husband's 
career  before  he  entered  the  army  in  1917.  This 
137 


The  Unseen  Ear 


letter  " —  Mrs.  Hale  picked  it  up,  refolded  it,  and 
replaced  it  in  her  purse  — "  must  remain  a  secret 
between  you  and  me." 

"  But,  Mrs.  Hale," —  Polly  stopped  her  as  she 
was  about  to  rise  — "  where  did  you  get  the  letter 
and  who  tore  off  the  last  sheet  ?  " 

"  It  is  for  us  to  find  out  who  tore  it  off  and 
what  became  of  it,"  declared  Mrs.  Hale.  At  last 
Polly  was  roused  out  of  herself,  and  the  older 
woman  observed  with  interest  the  two  hectic  spots 
of  color  in  her  cheeks.  "  And  why  the  sheet  was 
torn  off." 

The  opening  of  the  boudoir  door  caused  Polly 
to  start  nervously,  a  start  which,  in  Mrs.  Hale's 
case  became  a  jump,  as  Richards  addressed  them 
from  the  doorway. 

"  Maud  is  looking  for  you,  Mrs.  Hale,"  he  an- 
nounced. "  Luncheon  is  waiting  for  you." 

"Thanks,  yes;  we  will  come  at  once."  Mrs. 
Hale  was  conscious  of  her  flurried  manner  and 
her  ingratiating  smile  was  a  trifle  strained  as  she 
faced  her  handsome  son-in-law.  "  Where  is 
Judith?" 

"  She  telephoned  that  she  was  lunching  at  the 
Army  and  Navy  Club."     Richards  gave  no  sign 
that   he   was   aware  of   Mrs.    Hale's   agitation. 
"  Your  husband  is  waiting  for  you." 
138 


Half  a  Sheet 

"  Run  down,  Joe,  and  tell  him  not  to  wait  for 
me."  Mrs.  Hale  laid  her  hand  on  Polly's  shoul- 
der and  gave  her  a  slight  push.  "  Go  also,  my 
dear." 

But  Polly  hung  back.  "  Wait,  Mrs.  Hale,"  she 
whispered  feverishly.  "  There,  Major  Richards 
is  downstairs  by  now.  Tell  me  quickly  who  gave 
you  Austin's  letter?  " 

"  No  one." 

"  Then  where  did  you  get  it?  " 

Mrs.  Hale  paused  and  looked  carefully  around 
—  they  had  the  boudoir  to  themselves,  but  before 
she  spoke  Mrs.  Hale  took  the  precaution  to  close 
the  boudoir  door. 

"  I  found  the  letter  this  morning,"  she  stated, 
"  in  the  leather  pocket  of  Judith's  electric  car." 


CHAPTER  X 
BELOW  STAIRS 

ANNA,  the  waitress,  found  the  time  lag- 
ging in  spite  of  the  game  of  solitaire 
she  was  playing  to  wile  away  the  tedium 
of  her  enforced  idleness.  She  cast  a  resentful 
glance  at  her  swollen  ankle  before  shuffling  the 
cards  for  the  thirtieth  time  since  she  had  eaten 
her  midday  meal.  She  had  discarded  the  morn- 
ing newspaper,  and  refused  to  find  entertainment 
in  the  cheap  paper  novel  which  the  cook  had 
brought  to  her  early  in  the  morning,  so  her  last 
and  only  solace  was  the  pack  of  playing  cards. 

Mrs.  Hale,  a  New  Yorker  by  birth,  until  her 
marriage  had  spent  her  life  in  the  North,  and 
while  she  had  quickly  succumbed  to  the  spell 
which  the  Capital  City  casts  over  those  who  come 
to  its  hospitable  doors,  she  had  never  taken  kindly 
to  employing  negro  servants.  She  did  not  under- 
stand the  African  character,  and  her  one  attempt 
to  adjust  herself  to  the  conditions  then  prevailing 
in  domestic  service  in  the  District  of  Columbia 
140 


Below  Stairs 


had  proved  a  dismal  failure.  With  her  hus- 
band's hasty  approval  she  had  sent  to  New  York 
and  engaged  French  and  English  servants. 

Aside  from  her  eccentricities,  Mrs.  Hale  was  a 
kind  and  thoughtful  mistress,  and  the  servants  re- 
mained long  in  her  employ.  Even  during  the 
chaotic  war-time  conditions  in  Washington,  with 
the  influx  of  war-workers  and  deserters  from  the 
domestic  field,  her  servants  had  loyally  remained 
with  her  in  preference  to  seeking  Government 
"  positions  "  as  elevator  women  and  messengers. 

It  required  a  person  in  Anna's  state  of  mind  to 
find  fault  with  the  large,  cozily  furnished  bed- 
room in  which  she  sat.  A  coal  fire  on  the  hearth 
added  its  cheerful  glow,  and  at  her  elbow  was 
an  electric  reading  lamp  ready  for  instant  service 
when  the  winter  afternoon  drew  to  a  close. 

Anna  scowled  at  her  reflection  in  the  mirrored 
paneling  of  the  door  leading  to  the  bathroom 
which  she  and  "  cook,"  a  Swede,  shared  with 
Maud,  the  parlor  maid.  For  nearly  twenty-four 
hours  she  had  been  kept  captive  inside  the  four 
walls  of  her  bedroom,  and  her  restless  spirit  re- 
belled. Fate,  in  the  guise  of  a  treacherous  high- 
heeled  slipper,  had  given  her  an  ugly  tumble  down 
the  kitchen  stairs  on  her  way  to  bed  the  night 
before,  and  Dr.  McLane's  assurance  that  she  had 
141 


The  Unseen  Ear 


had  a  lucky  escape  did  not  assuage  Anna's  sense 
of  personal  grievance  nor  deaden  the  pain  of  her 
physical  injury. 

Footsteps  and  the  clatter  of  dishes,  as  a  tray 
was  brought  in  slight  contact  with  the  stair  turn- 
ing, came  distinctly  through  the  open  door  leading 
to  the  hall.  Anna's  downcast  look  vanished. 
Seizing  the  cards,  she  was  intent  on  layiftg  out  her 
favorite  solitaire  when  Maud  entered,  bearing  a 
tray  loaded  with  appetizing,  dishes. 

"  I'm  a  bit  late,"  she  explained  apologetically, 
as  Anna  swept  the  playing  cards  into  her  lap  to 
make  a  place  on  the  table  for  the  tray.  "  But 
there's  been  a  pile  of  coming  and  going  in  and  out 
of  the  house,  and  it  keeps  a  body  moving." 

"  Sit  down  and  have  a  cup  of  tea  with  me," 
suggested  Anna,  on  whom  the  extra  cup  and 
saucer  on  the  tray  had  not  been  lost.  Maud  had 
evidently  anticipated  the  invitation,  judging  also 
from  the  amount  of  cinnamon  toast  and  thin  slices 
of  bread  and  butter.  "  I  am  sorry,  Maud,  to  have 
more  work  thrown  on  you  just  now;  perhaps  I 
can  hobble  downstairs  to-morrow."  Dr.  McLean 
seemed  to  think  I  might." 

"  Now,  you  rest  easy,"  advised  Maud  earnestly. 
"  I  can  handle  the  work  all  right,  and  Mr.  Hale 
said  he  would  come  down  handsome  for  it." 
142 


Below  S fairs 


"  He  did !  "  Anna's  eyes  had  narrowed  to  thin 
slits,  but  Maud,  intent  on  consuming  as  much  tea 
and  toast  as  was  humanly  possible  in  a  given  time, 
was  oblivious  of  her  facial  contortions.  "  Mr. 
Hale  is  a  generous  gentleman;  you  stick  by  him, 
Maud." 

"  You  bet.  What  he  says  goes,"  Maud  nodded 
enthusiastically.  "  Funny  ho«s«hold,  ain't  it  ? 
A  dead  easy  one  if  you  are  in  the  '  know,'  "  and 
she  chuckled.  "  Let  me  pour  you  out  another 
cup,  Miss  Anna,"  and,  not  waiting  for  permis- 
sion, she  replenished  Anna's  tea,  at  the  same  time 
refilling  her  own  cup.  "  My,  don't  cook  make 
good  toast!  No  wonder  Major  Richards  is  so 
partial  to  it." 

"Is  he?"     Anna's  tone  was  dry. 

"  Yes,  ma'am,  and  he's  partial  to  a  good  deal 
more  besides."  Maud  relished  an  opportunity  of 
airing  her  views  to  so  superior  a  person  as  Anna, 
for  it  was  not  often  that  she  had  her  undivided 
attention.  "  Major  Richards  knows  a  good-look- 
ing woman  when  he  sees  one." 

"  Is  that  so  ?  "  indifferently,  helping  herself  to 
more  sugar. 

"  Yes,  ma'am,"  with  emphasis.  "  Didn't  I  see 
the  look  and  smile  he  gave  you  yesterday?  " 

"  Tut,  tut !  None  of  that."  Anna  spoke  with 
H3 


The  Unseen  Ear 


severity.     "  Major  Richards  is  Miss  Judith's  hus- 
band, a  nicely  spoken  gentleman." 

"  Sure  he  is."  Maud  smiled  broadly,  nothing 
daunted  by  Anna's  frown.  "  And  say,  ain't  Miss 
Judith  mashed  on  him?  That  cold  kind  always 
flops  the  worst  when  they  fall  in  love." 

"  Miss  Judith  isn't  the  cold  kind,"  retorted 
Anna  warmly.  "  She  has  plenty  of  temper  about 
her,  but  I  will  say  it's  tempered  with  proper 
pride." 

"  I  wonder  if  it  was  proper  pride  which  made 
her  quarrel  so  with  Mr.  Austin  ? "  Maud's 
snicker  always  grated  on  Anna,  and  again  the 
waitress  frowned.  "  Say,  wasn't  his  death 
awful?" 

"  Yes."  Anna  sat  back  with  a  shiver.  "  Ter- 
rible!" 

"  And  they  dunno  who  done  it,"  pursued  Maud 
with  relish,  her  somewhat  nasal  voice  slightly 
raised.  "  Leastways  that  is  what  Detective 
Ferguson  told  me  this  afternoon." 

"  Was  he  at  the  house  again?  " 

"  Yes,  three  times."  Maud  looked  regretfully 
at  the  empty  toast  dish.  "  I  asked  him  if  he 
wanted  a  bed  made  up  for  his  convenience,  and  he 
was  real  peevish.  My,  but  he  asks  a  lot  of  ques- 
tions ! " 

144 


Below  Stairs 


"What  about?"  inquired  Anna. 

"  Oh,  where  we  were  on  Tuesday  night,  and 
if  we  heard  anything  unusual,"  answered  Maud 
with  careless  candor.  "  Didn't  seem  to  believe 
that  we  had  all  gone  to  bed  the  same  as  usual. 
I  told  him  if  we'd  a  known  Mr.  Austin  was  to 
have  been  murdered,  o'  course  we'd  have  waited 
up  for  it,  so  as  to  supply  the  police  with  details. 
That  settled  him  for  a  time  and  then  he  wanted  to 
know  when  I  last  saw  Miss  Judith  Tuesday 
night." 

"So?"  Anna  leaned  out  of  her  chair  and 
took  up  a  box  of  candy  from  the  bureau.  "  Help 
yourself,  Maud.  What  did  you  say  to  Fergu- 
son?" 

Maud  received  the  candy  with  eyes  which 
sparkled  as  Anna  put  the  box  conveniently  in 
front  of  her.  Her  craving  for  sweets  had  fre- 
quently earned  her  a  reprimand  from  Mrs.  Hale 
when  that  dame  caught  her  in  the  act  of  purloin- 
ing candy  from  the  stock  kept  in  the  dining  room. 

"  I  told  Ferguson  that  Miss  Judith  was  un- 
dressing in  her  bedroom  when  I  went  upstairs." 
Maud's  speech  was  somewhat  impeded  by  a  large 
caramel.  "  Then  he  wanted  to  know  when  we 
first  heard  o'  the  murder  —  silly  question,  wasn't 
it?" 

145 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Very,"  agreed  Anna.  "  Considering  he  came 
upstairs  and  joined  us  just  after  Mrs.  Hale  had 
broken  the  news  of  Mr.  Austin's  death.  Men  are 
silly  creatures." 

"  Some  of  'em  are,"  amended  Maud.  "  I  never 
would  call  Mr.  Robert  Hale  silly.  Say,  Miss 
Anna," —  and  Maud  hitched  her  chair  close  to 
the  waitress  — "  do  you  s'pose  he  knows  any- 
thing about  the  courting  that  went  on  between 
Miss  Polly  and  his  brother?  " 

"  There  isn't  anything  that  escapes  Mr.  Hale's 
notice,"  Anna  responded  dryly. 

"  But  Miss  Polly  was  mighty  sly  about  it," 
argued  Maud.  "  Mr.  Austin  caught  her  once, 
though,  and  my,  didn't  he  flare  up !  "  Her  eyes 
grew  bigger  at  the  recollection.  "  I  wonder  if  he 
was  smart  enough  to  know  Miss  Polly,  for  all  her 
appearing  frankness,  was  playing  father  and  son 
off  against  each  other." 

"  Men  never  know  anything  where  a  pretty 
woman's  concerned,"  replied  Anna  scornfully. 
"  Miss  Judith  knew  what  was  going  on  though, 
and " —  she  lowered  her  voice  to  confidential 
tones  — "  it's  my  belief  that  her  Uncle  John  used 
his  influence  with  the  family  to  get  her  sent  on 
that  visit  to  Japan." 

"  And  there  she  met  Major  Richards."     Maud 
146 


Below  Stairs 


selected  another  piece  of  candy.  "  My,  ain't  Fate 
funny  sometimes !  "  Her  companion  agreed,  and 
Maud  munched  the  milk  chocolates  with  silent  en- 
joyment. Then  her  active  mind  went  off  on  a 
tangent  as  she  caught  sight  of  the  playing  cards 
still  reposing. in  a  disorderly  heap  in  Anna's  lap. 
"  Mr.  Hale  got  in  one  of  his  tantrums  this  morn- 
ing." 

"He  did?"  Anna  put  down  her  cup  from 
which  she  had  been  slowly  sipping  her  strong 
black  tea.  "  \Vhat  about?  " 

"  He  said  one  of  his  playing  cards  was  missing 
from  the  pack  he  keeps  in  the  library,  and  he  just 
as  much  as  asked  me  if  I  had  stolen  it."  Maud 
sniffed.  "If  he  hadn't  been  so  nice  about  my 
wages  and  my  room  wasn't  so  comfortable,  and 
you  and  cook  being  so  agreeable,  I'd  a  given 
notice." 

"  Oh,  pshaw!  Mr.  Hale  doesn't  mean  half  he 
says,"  Anna  hastened  to  smooth  down  Maud's 
ruffled  feelings.  "  He  forgets  the  cause  of  his 
tantrums  ten  minutes  afterward.  What's  the  use 
of  paying  attention  to  them?  His  Vife  never 
does." 

"  I  ain't  his  wife,"  objected  Maud.  "  And  he 
didn't  forget  this  tantrum,  though  it  was  about 
such  a  measly  little  thing,  but  came  right  back 
J47 


The  Unseen  Ear 


after  lunch  and  asked  me  had  I  found  the  card  in 
any  one's  room.  He  was  put  out  when  I  told 
him  no." 

"  It  is  too  bad,  Maud,"  exclaimed  Anna,  who 
had  followed  her  story  with  gratifying  attention. 
"  Mr.  Hale  shouldn't  worry  you  when  you  have 
extra  work  with  me  laid  up  here.  Why  not  speak 
to  Mrs.  Hale?" 

"  Not  me !  "  broke  in  Maud  hastily.  "  I  ain't 
hankering  to  start  a  family  ruction.  Don't  you 
worry,  Miss  Anna,  I  fixed  it,"  Maud  smiled  slyly. 
"  I  went  up  to  Miss  Judith's  boudoir  with  the  C. 
&  P.  man  to  mend  her  branch  telephone  this  af- 
ternoon, and  I  just  happened  to  see  a  pack  o'  play- 
ing cards  lying  on  Major  Richards'  dresser ;  their 
backs  were  just  the  same  as  Mr.  Hale's  pack  in 
the  library,  so  I  sneaked  out  the  Knave  o'  Hearts. 
After  the  telephone  man  left,  I  gave  the  card 
to  Mr.  Hale.  And  say,  what  do  you  s'pose  he 
did?" 

Anna  shook  her  head.  "  I  can't  guess.  Do  go 
on." 

"  Well,  first  he  gave  that  funny  giggle  o'  his, 
then  he  slips  the  card  in  his  pocket,  and  asks  me 
where  I  got  it."  Maud  paused  dramatically. 
"  When  I  said  I  found  it  on  Major  Richards' 
dresser  he  looked  at  me  kinda  funny  and  " —  a 

148 


Below  Stairs 


violent  sneeze  interrupted  the  recital  — "  then  he 
gave  me  a  raise  in  wages." 

"  Bless  me ! "  Anna  ejaculated  admiringly. 
"  That  was  smart  work,  Maud." 

Her  companion  smiled  deprecatingly.  "  'Tain't 
nothing  to  what  I  can  do  when  I  set  my  mind  to 
it,"  she  replied.  "  I  just  happened  on  Major 
Richards'  cards.  How's  your  ankle?" 

The  waitress  started  at  the  abruptness  of  the 
question. 

"  It  is  not  so  painful,"  she  said,  and  glanced 
significantly  at  the  clock  on  the  mantel.  "  Isn't 
it  'most  time  for  you  to  see  about  setting  the 
table  for  dinner?  " 

"  No ;  the  family's  dining  out  to-night,"  re- 
joined Maud,  "  so  that  me  and  cook  can  rest  up. 
Mrs.  Hale  is  pretty  much  of  a  fool,  but  she  is 
considerate  of  us.  There  are  times,"  added  Maud 
in  a  burst  of  confidence,  "  when  I  feel  darn  sorry 
for  her." 

"  Don't  let  your  sympathies  get  the  better  of 
your  judgment,"  warned  Anna.  "  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hale  are  —  well,  you  might  say  '  discordantly  ' 
happy." 

Maud  wrinkled  her  brows.  "If  you  are  hint- 
ing they  like  to  fuss,  you  are  dead  right,"  she 
acknowledged.  "  There's  one  thing  odd  I've 
149 


The  Unseen  Ear 


noticed  to-day  " —  She  paused  to  contemplate  her- 
self in  the  mirrored  door  with  inward  satisfac- 
tion; the  simple  black  dress  on  her  slight,  trim 
figure  and  neat  white  collar  and  cuffs,  which  Mrs. 
Hale  insisted  should  be  worn  by  her  servants,  was 
becoming. 

"What  were  you  noticing  to-day?"  asked 
Anna,  growing  impatient  as  the  pause  became  pro- 
longed. 

"  That  Mrs.  Hale  and  Miss  Polly  Davis  were 
getting  as  thick  as  thieves,"  explained  Maud.  "  I 
ain't  never  seen  them  so  loving." 

"  Is  that  so  ?  "  Anna  stroked  her  cheek  re- 
flectively. "  Mrs.  Hale  feels  Miss  Judith's  mar- 
riage more  than  she  is  willing  to  allow,  I  believe, 
and  she's  just  looking  'round  to  find  somebody 
to  '  mother.'  " 

"  It's  a  funny  deal  her  picking  on  Miss  Polly 
for  that,"  laughed  Maud  as  she  arranged  the  tea 
dishes  on  the  tray  preparatory  to  departure. 
"  D'ye  know,  as  poor  as  I  am,  I'd  give  a  month's 
wages  to  know  who  had  a  hand  in  killing  Mr. 
Austin."  She  paused  and  placed  her  lips  against 
Anna's  right  ear.  "  Them  bloody  shears  Mr. 
Ferguson  is  forever  exhibiting  never  belonged  to 
Miss  Judith,"  she  whispered,  "  but  Miss  Polly's 
are  missing  from  her  desk." 
150 


Below  Stairs 


Down  in  Robert  Hale's  den  Polly  Davis 
stopped  transcribing  his  manuscript  notes  to  stare 
at  three  letters  which  she  spread  before  her.  She 
read  them  in  rotation  for  at  least  the  seventh 
time,  then  settled  back  in  her  chair  and,  resting 
her  weight  on  its  arms,  contemplated  the 
notes. 

The  first  was  but  a  scrawl: 

DEAREST  : 

You  must  dine  with  me  to-night.  I  will  not  take 
a  refusal  and  will  call  at  the  usual  hour. 

Your  devoted  lover, 

JOHN. 

The  second  letter  was  from  Judith: 

Do  not  hesitate  to  use  the  enclosed  check  for  your 
contemplated  trip.  Return  the  loan  at  your  conven- 
ience, and  let  me  know  if  you  should  need  more. 

Ever,  dear  Polly,  faithfully  yours, 

JUDITH. 

"  My  contemplated  trip,"  quoted  Polly  softly. 
The  haggard  lines  in  her  face  were  accentuated 
by  the  merciless  electric  light  which  beat  down 
from  a  lamp  but  a  few  feet  above  her  typewriter 
desk.  "  Judith,  are  you  mad !  " 

Slowly  her  eyes  turned  to  the  third  note.  It 
had  no  commencement  other  than  the  words : 


The  Unseen  Ear 


In  recognition  of  your  valuable  services  I  am  in- 
creasing your  salary  fifty  dollars  per  month.  Please 
arrange  to  give  me  additional  hours  daily. 

Yours,  etc., 

ROBERT  HALE. 


CHAPTER  XI 
THE  THREAT 

FROM  their  corner  table  Judith  watched, 
with  total  lack  of  interest,  the  gay  throng 
which  filled  the  public  dining  room  at 
Rauscher's,  although  the  scene  was  one  to  arrest 
attention.  The  smartly  gowned  women,  the  for- 
eign attaches  in  their  gay  uniforms  in  contrast  to 
the  khaki-clad  army  officers  and  the  somber  even- 
ing dress  of  numerous  civilians,  formed  an  at- 
tractive center  for  the  mirrored  walls  and  shaded 
lights.  Judith's  inattention  was  a  source  of  dis- 
pleasure to  her  mother  whose  efforts  to  sustain 
the  conversation  had  failed. 

"  Really,  Judith,"  she  remonstrated,  "  it  is 
very  annoying  of  you  to  make  me  repeat  my 
remarks." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  Mother."  Judith  awoke 
from  dreary  thoughts.  "  I  did  not  mean  to  be 
rude,  but  our  —  our  mourning  " —  glancing  down 
at  her  black  dress  — "  seems  so  incongruous  here. 
We  should  have  found  a  less  conspicuous  place  to 
dine." 

153 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Tut !  you  are  supersensitive ;  we  must  eat  and 
why  not  here?  We  are  not  giving  a  dinner." 
Mrs.  Hale  paused  to  bow  to  an  acquaintance. 
"  Robert  and  your  husband  went  to  the  club  so 
that  we  would  not  have  even  an  appearance  of  a 
party.  Why,  there  is  Frank  Latimer.  Wave  to 
him,  Judith." 

Not  waiting  for  her  suggestion  to  be  followed, 
Mrs.  Hale  signaled  vigorously  with  her  fan  and 
succeeded  in  catching  the  eye  of  the  attentive 
major-domo  who,  guessing  her  meaning,  directed 
Latimer's  attention  to  her  table.  Mrs.  Hale 
greeted  the  stockbroker  with  a  cordial  smile. 

"  Join  us,  Frank,"  she  exclaimed,  as  their  wait- 
ress placed  a  chair  for  him.  Latimer  cast  a 
doubtful  eye  at  an  adjoining  table. 

"  That  is  my  habitual  place,"  he  explained.  "  I 
dine  here  every  night." 

"  Fortunate  man,  with  no  domestic  problems," 
sighed  Mrs.  Hale.  "  Really,  Anna  could  not 
have  selected  a  more  unfortunate  time  to  fall 
downstairs  —  or  was  it  upstairs,  Judith?" 

"  I  don't  know,  Mother."  Judith  had  changed 
color  at  Latimer's  approach  as  memory  of  her 
interview  in  his  office,  the  conversation  she  had 
overheard  the  night  before,  and  her  letter  explain- 
ing the  bond  transaction  recurred  to  her.  "  Anna 
154 


The  Threat 

is  so  seldom  ill  that  we  can  forgive  her  this  once." 
She  raised  grave  eyes  to  Latimer.  "  Do  dine 
with  us,  Frank." 

Latimer  had  only  opportunity  to  murmur  his 
thanks  as  Mrs.  Hale  took  possession  of  the  situa- 
tion and  claimed  his  undivided  attention.  As  the 
meal  progressed  he  stole  a  look  now  and  then  at 
Judith.  Her  preoccupation  was  evident  and  the 
furtive  glances  she  cast  about  the  big  dining  room 
were  indicative  of  her  nervous  condition.  Lati- 
mer's  anxiety  grew.  Would  Mrs.  Hale  never 
give  him  a  chance  for  a  private  word  with  Judith  ? 
After  the  receipt  of  her  note  that  morning  he  had 
tried  to  write  an  answer,  but,  after  a  vain  attempt 
to  crystallize  his  thoughts  into  black  ink,  he  had 
thrown  down  his  pen  and  applied  to  that  mixed 
blessing,  the  telephone,  only  to  be  told  that  Judith 
was  not  at  home. 

If  Judith  divined  his  desire  to  talk  with  her  she 
gave  no  sign  of  it.  Latimer's  anxiety  was  tinged 
with  vexation.  Was  Judith  deliberately  avoiding 
every  effort  he  made  to  drag  her  into  the  conver- 
sation? His  hot  temper  was  gaining  the  upper 
hand  when  Mrs.  Hale  unconsciously  gave  him  the 
opening  he  had  been  hoping  for. 

"  How  is  the  stock  market  ?  "  she  asked,  and  not 
waiting  for  an  answer,  added,  "  Did  you  purchase 
155 


The  Unseen  Ear 


those  Liberty  Bonds  Robert  spoke  of  last  week?  " 

"  Yes."  Latimer  turned  determinedly  to 
Judith.  "  Your  husband  sold  your  Troy  Valve 
bonds  at  somewhat  of  a  sacrifice." 

Mrs.  Hale  caught  the  words  and  looked  at  her 
daughter  in  open  consternation. 

"  Judith !  You  haven't  parted  with  the  bonds 
your  grandfather  left  you?  "  she  exclaimed. 

"  Yes."  Judith  tossed  down  her  napkin  and 
pushed  back  her  chair.  "  Joe  and  I  decided  that 
this  was  the  time  to  invest  in  Liberty  Bonds." 
Her  charming  smile  disarmed  criticism.  "  Be- 
sides, industrials  are  dangerous  investments." 

"  Fiddlesticks !  "  ejaculated  Mrs.  Hale  with  in- 
dignant emphasis.  "  You  know  what  General 
Hale  thought  of  his  Valve  bonds  and  how  care- 
fully he  portioned  them  out  among  us  in  his  will. 
Your  father  will  be  seriously  displeased,  Judith." 

"  Not  when  I  tell  him  that  the  bonds  are 
already  depreciating  in  value,"  responded  Judith 
quietly.  "  They  are  depreciating,  Frank,  are  they 
not  ?  "  Her  emphasis  on  the  verb  arrested  Lati- 
mer's  attention  and  quickly  he  caught  his  cue. 

"  Liberty  Bonds  are  a  better  investment,"  he 
stated,  "  especially  just  now.  You  " —  he  smiled 
at  Mrs.  Hale  — "  are  putting  your  money  in  Lib- 
erty Bonds." 

156 


The  Threat 

But  Mrs.  Hale  was  not  appeased.  "  I  am  not 
selling  valuable  bonds,"  she  retorted.  "  The 
money  I  invest  in  Liberty  Bonds  is  the  income 
from  other  sources.  What  did  you  realize  on 
your  bonds,  Judith  ?  " 

Judith's  brow  wrinkled  in  thought,  then  she 
turned  to  Frank.  "  I  have  a  poor  head  for  fig- 
ures," she  admitted  softly.  "  What  did  Joe  get 
for  the  bonds,  Frank  ?  " 

Latimer  eyed  her  thoughtfully.  "  We  paid  Joe 
$1,275,  IGSS  commission.  The  bonds  bring  $125 
each." 

"  Is  that  all !  "  And  Mrs.  Hale's  eyebrows 
rose  in  displeasure.  "  What  a  wretched  time  to 
sell.  I  shall  remonstrate  with  your  husband  for 
permitting  you  to  part  with  the  bonds." 

"  You  will  do  nothing  of  the  sort."  The  girl's 
tone  brought  a  hot  flush  to  her  mother's  cheeks, 
but  there  was  that  in  Judith's  expression  which 
checked  her  angry  rejoinder.  "  Please,  Mother, 
remember  that  I  am  independent  as  far  as 
my  fortune  is  concerned,  and  am  my  own  mis- 
tress." 

Mrs.  Hale  considered  her  for  a  minute,  then  to 
Latimer's  horror,  for  he  had  a  shy  man's  distaste 
of   scenes,   her  lower  lip  quivered   suggestively, 
while  her  pale  blue  eyes  grew  moist. 
157 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  What  a  way  to  address  your  mother,  Judith," 
she  said  reproachfully.  "  I,  who  have  your  best 
interests  at  heart.  It  is  most  unkind." 

"  I  had  no  intention  of  being  unkind."  Judith 
laid  her  hand  for  a  second  gently  on  her  mother's 
shoulder.  "  Only,  please  do  not  discuss  my  af- 
fairs with  my  husband ;  he  also  " —  she  looked 
squarely  at  Latimer  — "  has  my  best  interests  at 
heart  and  I  can  rely  upon  his  honest  judgment." 

Latimer  bowed.  "  Joe  is  no  fool,"  he  re- 
marked dryly.  "  Don't  worry,  Mrs.  Hale,  I 
guarantee  that  Judith  is  quite  right  in  the  stand 
she  is  taking,  and  " —  again  he  bowed  — "  I  ad- 
mire her  for  it." 

"  You  have  always  approved  of  woman  suf- 
frage," grumbled  Mrs.  Hale,  as  she  rose  and 
led  the  way  down  the  aisle  to  the  entrance  to  the 
dining  room.  "  But  take  a  word  of  advice  from 
an  older  woman,  Judith;  it  is  not  the  wife  who 
asserts  her  independence  who  gains  her  wishes,  it 
is  she  who  concedes  the  little  things  of  life  who 
controls  the  big  issues.  To  rule,  a  woman  must 
never  show  she  rules." 

She  paused  to  speak  a  complimentary  word  to 

the  major-domo,  and  Judith,  striding  ahead  down 

the  short  staircase,  discovered  that  Latimer  was 

keeping  step  with  her.     Before  he  could  voice 

158 


The  Threat 

his  thoughts,  she  had  formulated  her  line  of 
action. 

"If  you  have  any  stock  deals,"  she  said  in  an 
undertone,  "  do  tip  me  off.  Hush,  not  a  word ;  I 
don't  wish  Mother  to  know  I  am  playing  the 
market,  here  she  comes." 

His  ideas  in  a  whirl,  Latimer  assisted  the"m 
into  their  limousine  just  as  a  touring  car  drove 
up  to  the  curb  and  stopped  with  a  grinding  of 
brakes  which  echoed  down  the  street.  A  second 
more  and  John  Hale  had  flung  himself  out  of  the 
car  and  dashed  over  to  the  limousine.  A  rapid 
survey  showed  him  that  the  only  occupants  of  the 
car  were  Mrs.  Hale  and  Judith. 

"  Where  have  you  left  Polly  ?  "  he  demanded. 

"Left  her?"  Mrs.  Hale's  voice  showed  her 
astonishment.  "  Nowhere ;  Polly  has  not  been 
with  us." 

"  Not  with  you  ?  "  Her  brother-in-law  stared 
at  her.  "  Didn't  she  dine  with  you?  " 

"  She  did  not,"  tartly.  "  What  gave  you  that 
impression  ?  " 

"  Mrs.  Davis  told  me  that  Polly  telephoned  she 
was  with  you."  Hale  turned  almost  savagely  to- 
ward Judith.  "  Where  is  she  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know."  Judith  eyed  him  in  won- 
derment. It  was  not  often  that  she  saw  him  dis- 

159 


The  Unseen  Ear 


composed  in  manner.  He  moved  slightly  and  the 
light  from  the  limousine's  lamps  showed  his  fea- 
tures more  clearly.  "  Surely,  Uncle  John,  you 
are  not  worried  about  her  whereabouts  ?  " 

John  Hale  passed  a  nervous  hand  over  his  chin. 
"  Polly  was  to  dine  with  me,"  he  explained.  "  I 
waited  at  her  home,  and  finally  her  mother  re- 
turned from  dining  with  a  neighbor  and  gave  me 
Polly's  message.  I  remembered  you  were  to  dine 
here,  so  chased  you  up.  You  are  sure  you  don't 
know  where  she  is  ?  " 

"Of  course  we  don't,"  chimed  in  Mrs.  Hale. 
"  Bless  me,  John,  why  worry  ?  Polly  is  quite  old 
enough  to  take  care  of  herself,  and  she  is  not 
likely  to  get  lost  in  Washington." 

"  Lost?  Of  course  not,"  with  rough  emphasis. 
"  I  have  a  message  for  Polly  which  must  be  deliv- 
ered. Have  you  any  idea  where  she  is  dining, 
Judith?" 

Judith  thought  a  moment  before  replying. 
"  Possibly  she  is  with  the  Wards  in  Chevy  Chase," 
she  suggested.  "  I  recall  Polly  had  a  telephone 
talk  with  Kate  this  afternoon." 

"  Thanks."  John  Hale  swung  around  and 
caught  Latimer  by  the  shoulder.  Until  that  mo- 
ment he  had  ignored  the  presence  of  the  little 
stockbroker. 

160 


The  Threat 

"  Drive  out  to  Chevy  Chase,  Frank,"  he  urged. 
"  Come,  man,  don't  keep  me  waiting,"  and,  not 
heeding  Latimer's  remonstrances,  he  hurried  him 
toward  his  car.  Then,  as  the  latter  hung  back 
with  the  reiterated  statement  that  he  had  an  im- 
portant business  engagement,  he  interrupted  him 
with  an  oath. 

"  Cut  it  out,  Frank,"  John  Hale  spoke  between 
clenched  teeth.  "I'll  explain  later;  jump  in." 
Scarcely  waiting  for  Latimer  to  do  so,  he  climbed 
in  behind  the  wheel  and,  turning  the  car  up  Con- 
necticut Avenue,  he  speeded  up  that  thoroughfare. 

Latimer  rode  in  perturbed  silence,  occasionally 
stealing  a  glance  at  his  companion's  set,  stern 
features.  He  had  followed  John  Hale  in  his 
college  days  with  doglike  fidelity,  and  the  habit 
had  clung  through  their  years  of  faithful  friend- 
ship. As  the  car  left  the  city  limits  behind  and 
tore  along  the  road  leading  to  the  fashionable 
suburb  of  Chevy  Chase,  Latimer  broke  the  pro- 
tracted silence. 

"  What's  to  pay,  John?  "  he  asked. 

John  Hale  waited  until  they  had  overtaken  a 
trolley,  then  slowed  down  the  car's  speed  almost  to 
a  crawl. 

"  God  knows ! "  he  responded,  and  his  voice 
was  not  quite  steady.  "  Frank,  I  —  I'm  miser- 
161 


The  Unseen  Ear 


able —  miserable,"  and  Frank,  after  one  glance  at 
his  face,  forebore  to  question  further. 

Mrs.  Hale,  from  the  window  of  her  limousine, 
watched  John  Hale's  abrupt  departure  with  as- 
tonishment not  unmixed  with  resentment. 

"  Upon  my  word,  Judith,  your  uncle  grows 
more  impossible  every  day,"  she  remarked,  and, 
meeting  with  no  comment  from  her  daughter,  she 
picked  up  the  speaking  tube  and  called  to  her 
chauffeur,  "  Home." 

On  reaching  there,  Mrs.  Hale  changed  her  mind 
with  characteristic  suddenness. 

"  I'll  run  down  to  the  club  and  pick  up  your 
father,"  she  said  as  she  hopped  back  into  the 
limousine.  "  I  remember  now  that  he  left  word 
we  were  to  call  for  him.  Won't  you  come, 
Judith?" 

Judith,  halfway  up  the  steps  leading  to  the 
front  door,  shook  her  head. 

"  No  thanks,  Mother,  I  have  several  letters  to 
write,"  and  with  a  wave  of  her  hand  she  hurried 
inside  the  house.  Maud,  who  had  waited  in  some 
uncertainty  until  she  saw  the  limousine  drive  off 
with  Mrs.  Hale  seated  in  it,  closed  the  front  door. 

"  Can  I  do  anything  for  you,  Mrs.  Richards? '' 
she  asked,  as  Judith  paused  to  look  at  several 
162 


The  Threat 

notes  lying  on  the  hall  table.  None  was  ad- 
dressed to  her  and  she  laid  them  back  again. 

"  No,  Maud,  not  a  thing,"  she  replied.  "  Has 
Major  Richards  returned?" 

"  Not  yet,  ma'am."  Maud,  catching  a  furtive 
look  at  herself  in  the  long  mirror  on  the  wall,  re- 
arranged her  cap  to  a  more  becoming  angle.  "  Is 
it  too  early  to  take  your  pitcher  of  ice  water  to 
your  boudoir,  ma'am?  Anna  said  you  had  one 
generally." 

"  It  is  not  too  early."  Judith  turned  toward 
the  circular  staircase.  "How  is  Anna?" 

"  Much  better,  ma'am ;  she  practiced  walking 
around  after  dinner  and  got  on  first  rate," — 
Maud  lingered  a  moment  — "  not  but  what  I 
warned  her  to  be  careful ;  'tain't  any  use  of  taking 
chances  with  a  banged-up  ankle." 

"  True,"  agreed  Judith  absently,  and,  unloosen- 
ing her  coat,  she  went  upstairs.  Instead  of  going 
at  once  to  her  boudoir  she  hurried  down  the  hall 
to  her  father's  den,  and  as  she  entered  it  Polly 
Davis  looked  up  from  the  manuscript  she  was 
copying  and  stopped  her  machine. 

"  You  —  here !  "     Judith  halted  abruptly. 

"  Yes."  Polly  pushed  her  chair  away  from  the 
typewriter.  "  Why  not  ?  "  The  question  was 
put  with  studied  insolence  and  Judith's  eyes 
163 


The  Unseen  Ear 


widened.     "  I  am  working  on  your  father's  man- 
uscript." 

"  But  at  this  hour  — " 

"  I  am  working  overtime."  Polly  flipped  a 
note  in  her  direction.  "  Your  father  here  asks 
me  to  give  him  '  additional  service.' '  She  smiled 
and  shrugged  her  shoulders.  "  Any  objections?  " 

"Objections?  No."  Judith's  manner  re- 
tained its  old  friendliness,  and  she  ignored  the 
girl's  manifest  hostility. 

"  Then  why  question  my  presence  here  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  question  your  right  to  be  here.'* 
Judith  chose  a  chair  near  Polly.  "  I  have  just 
seen  Uncle  John  — " 

"Well?  "as  Judith  stopped. 

"  Uncle  John  was  told  by  your  mother  that  you 
were  dining  with  us." 

"  Pardon  me," —  Polly's  interruption  was 
curtly  spoken,  although  the  words  chosen  were 
politeness  itself  — "  Mr.  Hale  was  informed  that 
I  was  with  you." 

"  But  you  were  not." 

"  In  one  sense,  yes ;  in  another  I  am  with  you 
while  working  in  this  household."  Again  Polly 
shrugged  her  shoulders.  "Of  course  I  am  not 
responsible  for  whatever  interpretation  you  and 
he  put  on  my  message  to  my  mother." 
164 


The  Threat 

Judith  regarded  her  for  a  moment  in  silence. 

"  What  is  your  object  in  splitting  straws?  "  she 
inquired.  "  Wait  —  Uncle  John  understood  you 
were  to  dine  with  him,  then  thought  you  were 
with  us,  and  he  now  believes  you  are  with  the 
Wards  in  Chevy  Chase  and  is  motoring  there,  and 
—  on  returning  home,  I  find  you  here." 

"  Your  uncle  asked  me  to  dine  with  him, 
but  I  never  accepted  his  invitation,"  replied 
Polly.  "  Frankly,  I  preferred  to  wait  here  and 
see  you." 

"  Why  didn't  you  tell  me,  Polly,  and  I  would 
have  remained  at  home,"  exclaimed  Judith. 
"  Have  you  had  any  dinner?  "  with  a  hasty  glance 
about  in  quest  of  a  tray. 

"  I  dined  at  the  Pastry  Shop."  Polly  leaned 
back  in  her  chair  and  watched  Judith.  "  I  asked 
for  you  before  I  left  this  afternoon,  but  you  had 
not  returned  from  your  drive,  and  so  I  came  back 
an  hour  ago.  What  was  your  object  in  writing 
this  note  ? "  and  leaning  forward  Polly  placed 
Judith's  note  and  check  in  her  lap. 

Judith  did  not  touch  the  papers. 

"  The  note  is  self-explanatory,"  she  stated. 
"  I  hope  the  vacation  will  restore  your  health." 

"  My  health  is  quite  robust,  thank  you,"  dryly. 
"  Let  us  have  done  with  camouflage,  Judith,  and 
165 


The  Unseen  Ear 


be  honest  with  each  other.     What  is  your  object 
in  wishing  to  get  rid  of  me?  " 

"  I  have  no  such  desire." 

Polly's  lip  curled  in  scorn.  "  You  wish  to  get 
me  away  from  Washington,  away  from  this 
house,"  she  charged.  "  Why  ?  " 

The  two  girls  contemplated  each  other,  but 
while  Judith  was  pale,  a  feverish  color  heightened 
the  sparkle  in  Polly's  over-bright  eyes.  When 
Judith  spoke  it  was  with  deliberation. 

"  I  suggested  that  you  go  on  a  vacation,"  she 
said,  "  for  your  own  good." 

"  Indeed ! "  Polly's  laugh  ended  in  a  sneer. 
"  Are  you  quite  sure  your  consideration  is  not 
misdirected  ?  " 

"  Quite  sure."  Judith's  temper  was  gaining 
the  upper  hand  in  spite  of  her  endeavor  to  keep  it 
under  control.  "  Once  before  you  ignored  my 
advice;  you  know  with  what  results."  She 
paused.  "  Austin's  death  — " 

"Well?"  Polly  leaned  forward,  both  hands 
on  the  arms  of  her  chair. 

Instead  of  completing  her  sentence  Judith 
placed  the  note  and  her  check  on  Polly's  type- 
writer. 

"  You  had  better  arrange  to  leave  to-morrow," 
she  said  softly. 

166 


The  Threat 

"  I  won't."  Polly's  voice  rang  out  clearly. 
"  I  don't  know  whom  you  are  trying  to  shield,  but 
you  shan't  drive  me  away  —  you  shan't  —  you 
shan't!" 

"  Polly," —  Judith's  manner  compelled  the  hys- 
terical girl  to  gain  some  hold  on  the  remnant  of 
her  self-control — "you  have  forced  this  scene;  I 
have  tried  to  avoid  it  by  supplying  you  with  a 
way  out,"  She  pointed  to  the  check.  "  I  was 
the  first  person  to  find  Austin's  body  — " 

"  Ah !  You  admit  it."  Polly's  voice  rose  al- 
most to  a  scream.  "  Why  haven't  you  told  that 
to  the  police  ?  " 

"  Because  of  my  desire  to  shield  you,"  Judich 
stated  calmly. 

"  To  shield  me!  "  Polly  half  rose,  resting  her 
weight  on  the  arms  of  her  chair. 

"  Exactly."  Judith  stood  up  and  pulled  her 
coat  about  her  shoulders.  "  In  addition  to  my 
silence,  I  took  from  Austin's  body  a  trinket  — " 

"  Yes,  go  on  " —  Polly  watched  her  fascinated, 
as  she  took  a  step  toward  the  door. 

"  Your  conduct  to-night  forces  me  to  use  a 
threat."  Judith  spoke  in  a  monotone  and  slowly 
the  color  ebbed  from  Polly's  cheeks.  "  Unless 
you  leave  Washington  within  twenty-four  hours, 
I  shall  give  the  trinket  to  the  police." 
167 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  What  — "  Polly  moistened  her  parched  lips. 
"  What  is  the  trinket  ?  " 

"  A  Mizpah  locket.  Good-night,"  and  without 
a  backward  glance  Judith  hurried  away. 


CHAPTER  XII 
THE  THEFT 

JUDITH  had  not  inherited  her  mother's 
fondness  for  being  waited  upon  and  there- 
fore she  had  never  employed  a  personal 
maid.  After  her  interview  with  Polly  she  went 
immediately  to  her  bedroom  and  it  required  but  a 
brief  time  to  put  away  her  coat  and  scarf.  In 
removing  the  latter  from  around  her  neck,  its 
delicate  mesh  caught  in  the  diamond  horseshoe 
pin,  her  only  ornament,  which  she  wore  in  the 
front  of  her  evening  dress.  In  striving  to  free 
the  scarf  she  discovered  to  her  dismay  that  one 
of  the  diamonds  was  missing  from  the  horseshoe. 
The  pin  had  been  her  husband's  wedding  gift. 
Throwing  down  the  scarf,  Judith  bent  anxiously 
and  peered  at  the  carpet,  but  it  was  difficult  to  see 
so  small  an  object  against  its  soft  coloring. 
Dropping  to  her  knees,  she  felt  about  until  her 
ringers  touched  a  hard  substance.  A  look  at  it 
disclosed  the  missing  diamond,  and  with  an  ex- 
clamation of  pleasure  and  relief  Judith  rose, 
folded  the  stone  in  a  piece  of  tissue  paper  and 
169 


The  Unseen  Ear 


placed  it  with  the  diamond  pin  in  her  jewelry  box. 
In  doing  so  she  caught  sight  of  a  gold  locket 
safely  ensconced  in  the  bottom  of  the  box  under 
several  bracelets  and  chains.  Judith  considered 
the  locket  gravely,  then  closed  and  locked  the 
jewelry  box  just  as  her  name  was  called'  in  the 
boudoir.  With  heightened  color,  she  hastened 
across  the  bedroom  and  joined  her  husband. 

"  I  did  not  hear  you  enter,  Joe,"  she  exclaimed 
as  he  held  out  both  hands  to  her.  "  How  does  it 
happen  that  you  returned  so  early?  I  thought 
you  planned  to  run  in  and  see  Dr.  McLane  about 
that  troublesome  cough  of  yours?" 

"  Oh,  that  can  wait  until  morning,"  lightly. 
"  I  came  back  to  be  with  you."  He  placed  a 
morris  chair  for  her  before  the  hearth,  where  a 
coal  fire  burned  fitfully,  and  perched  himself  on 
the  chair's  broad  mahogany  arm.  "  I  haven't 
seen  you  alone  to-day."  His  voice  was  tinged 
with  reproach. 

Judith  slipped  a  hand  inside  his.  "  I  did  not 
mean  to  neglect  you,"  she  said.  "  But  Mother 
and  certain  business  matters  claimed  a  lot  of  at- 
tention. Why," — turning  her  head  as  it  rested 
against  the  cushion  of  the  high-backed  chair  — 
"  why  did  you  volunteer  to  dine  with  Father  at 
the  club  and  not  come  with  us  to  Rauscher's  ?  " 
170 


The  Theft ^ 

"  It  was  your  mother's  plan,  not  mine."  Rich- 
ard laughed  softly.  "  My  first  impressions  of 
your  mother  have  radically  changed." 

"In  what  way?" 

"  I  thought  her  all  fuss  and  feathers,  but  under- 
neath it  she  has  a  will  of  iron."  Richards'  smile 
grew  rueful.  "  Does  your  father  ever  oppose  her 
wishes?  " 

It  was  Judith's  turn  to  smile.  "  Not  if  he  can 
help  it,"  she  admitted.  "  Father  is  something  of 
a  diplomat  as  far  as  Mother  is  concerned.  Per- 
haps you  have  noticed  it." 

"  Yes."  Richards  stared  into  the  fire ;  he  had 
become  grave.  "  Somehow,  dearest,  I  do  not  be- 
lieve your  father  likes  me.  Oh,  he's  been  polite 
enough," —  as  she  was  about  to  speak  — "  but 
there  is  something  in  his  manner, —  well," —  with 
another  rueful  smile  — "  it  couldn't  by  any  stretch 
of  the  imagination  be  termed  cordial  at  any  time, 
and  lately  " —  he  hesitated  — "  the  dislike  is  more 
apparent." 

Judith's  pretty  color,  which  had  come  when  she 
found  him  waiting  for  her  in  the  boudoir,  had 
waned.  "Lately?"  she  queried.  "Do  you 
mean  within  the  last  few  days?  " 

"  Yes ;  to  be  exact,  since  Austin's  Hale's  mur  — 
death,"  he  caught  himself  up.  "  Don't  mind,  dar- 
171 


The  Unseen  Ear 


ling,"  observing  the  shadows  which  had  gathered 
in  her  eyes.  "  I  am  sorry  I  mentioned  the  sub- 
ject. Your  father,  like  the  rest  of  us,  is  upset 
by  the  tragedy  —  we  will  all  return  to  normal 
when  the  mystery  is  solved." 

"When?"  Judith  contemplated  her  well-fit- 
ting suede  slipper  and  the  embroidered  silk  stock- 
ings just  peeping  beneath  her  skirt.  "  Have  the 
police  advanced  any  new  theories  ?  " 

"  Only  that  the  crime  was  premeditated." 

Judith  looked  up.  "  Premeditated  ?  Then 
some  one  must  have  known  of  Austin's  plans  to 
come  here  Tuesday  night."  She  drew  in  her 
breath  sharply.  "  Some  bitter  enemy."  She 
again  looked  directly  up  at  Richards  and  found 
him  gazing  in  the  fire.  "  What  is  your  theory  ?  " 

"  My  theory  ?  I  hardly  knew  —  know  any- 
thing of  Austin,  therefore  it  is  difficult  for  me  to 
form  a  theory."  Judith  took  silent  note  of  his 
quickly  covered  confusion,  and  her  hand,  still 
resting  in  his,  moved  uneasily.  "  Was  Austin  the 
type  of  man  to  have  an  implacable  enemy?  " 

"  N  —  no,"  Judith  drawled  out  the  word. 
"  He  sometimes  had  a  nasty  way  of  speaking, 
which  used  to  annoy  Uncle  John ;  but  he  was  gen- 
erally very  agreeable,  and  some  people  found  him 
fascinating." 

172 


The  Theft 

"Meaning  women?"  Judith  did  not  reply  at 
once,  and  Richards'  eyes  narrowed.  "  You  think 
that  Austin  was  killed  on  impulse?  " 

"  So  it  appears  to  me,"  she  confessed  and  sup- 
pressed a  shudder. 

There  was  a  brief  silence,  then  Richards  roused 
himself.  "  I  agree  with  you,"  he  said.  "  The 
nature  of  the  weapon  used  proves  that." 

"  The  shears  ?  "  Judith  glanced  up  and  then 
looked  quickly  away.  "  You  think  Austin  was 
stabbed  with  the  shears?" 

"  Evidently,  for  there  was  no  other  weapon." 

"  No  other  weapon  has  been  found,"  Judith 
corrected  him  softly.  "  The  murderer  may  have 
carried  it  off  with  him." 

"  True,"  acknowledged  Richards,  "  but  then 
how  came  the  shears  to  have  blood  on  them  ?  For 
what  purpose  were  they  used  ?  " 

Judith's  breathing  seemed  suspended  for  an 
infinitesimal  second,  and  several  minutes  elapsed 
before  she  spoke. 

"  I  am  not  good  at  solving  problems."  She 
twirled  his  seal  ring,  which  she  had  given  him, 
about  on  his  ringer.  "  Have  you  heard  Uncle 
John's  theory  that  Austin  was  killed  by  a  bur- 
glar?" 

Richards  regarded  her  fixedly  for  a  minute, 
173 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Is  that  so !  "  he  exclaimed.     "  And  what  leads 
him  to  suspect  a  burglar?  " 

"  Austin's  gold  watch  is  missing."  Judith  felt 
his  arm  slip  down  about  her  shoulders,  and  his 
weight  rested  against  the  cushioned  back  of  her 
chair.  "  Also,  Father  found  some  papers  miss- 
ing from  his  safe." 

"He  did  —  when?"  The  question  shot  from 
Richards. 

"  Sometime  Thursday.  I  don't  know  exactly 
when."  Judith  caught  his  intent  gaze,  and  while 
her  heart  beat  a  bit  more  rapidly,  she  continued 
to  look  directly  at  him. 

"  Has  he  notified  the  police  ?  " 

"  I  presume  so.  He  was  talking  to  Detective 
Ferguson  yesterday  just  before  dinner." 
Judith's  voice  sounded  a  trifle  strained  in  her 
own  ears,  but  apparently  Richards  took  no  notice. 
His  gaze  had  shifted  again  to  the  fireplace. 

"  When  Mr.  Hale  first  examined  the  safe  he 
declared  that  its  contents  were  intact,"  he  re- 
marked. "  Your  news  is  surprising,  Judith.  It 
may  be  that  poor  Austin  found  a  burglar  rifling 
the  safe  and  was  killed  by  him  —  it  is  a  reasonable 
hypothesis  in  the  light  of  your  father's  discovery. 
You  said  something  else  was  missing  — " 

"  Yes,  Austin's  watch.     It  was  a  valuable  heir- 
174 


The  Theft 

loom  inherited  from  his  grandfather,  and  he  al- 
ways carried  it  with  him.  The  watch  has  not 
been  found  either  on  his  body  or  in  his  room." 

"  But,  Judith,  it  may  be  among  his  effects  in 
New  York,"  Richards  suggested.  "  Your  mother 
told  me  that  he  had  quarters  at  the  Yale  Qub  and 
kept  a  trunk  there." 

Judith  shook  her  head.  "  Uncle  John  talked 
to  the  steward  of  the  club  on  the  long  distance 
telephone,  and  a  search  was  made,  but  the  watch 
could  not  be  found."  Abruptly  she  changed  the 
subject.  "  Will  you  please  hand  me  a  glass  of 
water,  Joe?  " 

Richards  had  started  for  the  door  when  she 
called  him  back.  "  Don't  go  downstairs,  the  ice 
water  is  here,"  she  looked  about  the  boudoir. 
"  There,  Maud  put  it  over  by  the  bedroom  door." 

Richards  filled  a  glass  for  her  and  replacing 
it  a  moment  later  on  the  table,  he  poured  out  a 
glass  for  himself  and  almost  gulped  it  down. 
Crossing  the  room,  he  again  seated  himself  on  the 
arm  of  Judith's  chair. 

"  Judith,"  he  began,  "  a  strange  thing  happened 
to-day  and  I  want  to  tell  you  about  it." 

"  Yes,  dear,"  she  prompted  gently,  as  he  paused. 
"  Go  on." 

But  Richards  evidently  found  some  difficulty  in 

175 


The  Unseen  Ear 


continuing,  for  several  seconds  elapsed  before  he 
spoke  again. 

"  The  treasurer  of  the  Metropolis  Bank  called 
me  up  this  afternoon  and  asked  me  to  stop  in  and 
see  him,"  he  went  on.  "  And  when  I  reached 
the  bank  I  was  informed  that  ten  thousand  dollars 
had  been  placed  to  my  credit." 

"  Good  gracious !  "  Judith  clapped  her  hands. 
"Why,  Joe!" 

"  Exactly  —  why?  "  dryly.  "  Why  should 
any  one  do  such  a  thing?  I  have  no  near  rela- 
tives, no  one  under  obligation  to  me,  and  so  I  told 
the  bank  treasurer,  but  he  refused  to  disclose  the 
donor's  name  or  by  whose  authority  the  bank  had 
acted.  He  did  assure  me  that  it  was  perfectly 
proper  for  me  to  use  the  money,  stating  that  it 
was  a  gift  without  a  string  tied  to  it  and  that  the 
money  is  legally  mine." 

"  But  that  is  splendid ! "  exclaimed  Judith. 
"  Are  you  not  elated  ?  " 

"  No,  only  puzzled,"  Richards  admitted  slowly. 
"  I  have  racked  my  brain,  Judith,  to  find  out 
where  that  money  could  have  come  from,  and  " — 
he  held  her  close  to  him,  his  eyes  scanning  her 
face.  "  Did  you  give  it  to  me?  " 

Slowly  her  eyes   fell   before  his  ardent  look 
and  a  telltale  blush  mantled  her  cheeks. 
176 


The  Theft 

"  Yes,"  she  murmured,  and  for  a  second  clung 
to  him,  then  pushed  him  gently  from  her. 
Suddenly  he  raised  her  hands  and  kissed  them 
passionately. 

"  Judith," —  he  steadied  his  voice  before  con- 
tinuing — "  I  can  never  thank  you,  never.  There- 
fore it  is  all  the  harder  to  tell  you  that  I  cannot 
take  your  money." 

"  But  you  must !  "  she  exclaimed  in  alarm. 
"  Dear,  I  am  wealthy  in  my  own  right  and  this 
money  is  some  I  had  lying  idle  in  a  savings  bank. 
It  is  no  sacrifice  for  me  to  give  it  to  you." 

"  I  would  like  to  think  that  it  is,"  he  murmured 
wistfully.  "  Tell  me,  dearest,  what  put  it  into 
your  head  to  make  me  so  generous  a  present?" 

"I  —  eh  — "  Judith's  native  honesty  would 
not  permit  an  evasion.  "  I  heard  that  you  had 
met  with  reverses  in  business,  Joe." 

Richards  looked  at  her  long  and  intently. 
"  You  heard  ?  "  he  repeated.  "  Where  ?  " 

Judith  raised  a  protesting  finger.  "  '  Ask  me 
no  questions  — '  "  she  quoted,  "  you  know  the  old 
saw,  Joe  " ;  and  before  he  had  time  to  frame  an- 
other question,  she  asked  reproachfully.  "  Why 
did  you  not  come  to  me  at  once,  Joe?  I  would 
gladly  have  helped." 

A  dull  red  flush  mounted  almost  to  Richards' 
177 


The  Unseen  Ear 


forehead  and  he  averted  his  eyes  from  her  steady 
gaze. 

"  I  can't  borrow  from  a  woman,  Judith  —  even 
the  very  best  and  dearest  woman  in  the  world," 
he  confessed.  "  Keep  your  money,  sweetheart. 
My  financial  embarrassment  was  only  temporary, 
but  " —  his  voice  deepened  with  emotion  — "  I 
prize  your  loyalty  above  all  earthly  things. 
Judith,  I  shall  strive  to  be  worthy  of  you,"  and 
dropping  on  one  knee  he  kissed  her  hand  with 
fervor. 

Judith  saw  his  shapely  head  and  fine  features 
through  a  mist  of  tears.  Her  faith  in  him  should 
stand  all  tests.  In  spite  of  what  she  had  learned 
of  the  stolen  bonds,  he  must  be  innocent  —  he 
was  worthy  of  her  trust,  her  love.  Impulsively 
she  leaned  nearer  and  he  caught  her  in  passionate 
embrace. 

The  clock  had  ticked  away  fully  an  hour  when 
Judith  awoke  to  the  time. 

"  It  is  almost  midnight,"  she  exclaimed  re- 
proachfully and  rose  in  haste.  As  she  walked 
across  the  boudoir  her  attention  was  attracted  by 
a  package  of  addressed  and  stamped  envelopes. 
"  Oh,  I  forgot  to  give  these  to  Maud  to  mail  first 
thing  in  the  morning,  and  they  are  important." 

"  Let  me  have  them."     Richards  snatched  them 
178 


The  Theft 

up.  "  There  is  a  post  box  in  front  of  the  house; 
I'll  be  right  back."  And  he  hastened  down  the 
hall  to  the  circular  staircase. 

Not  waiting  to  lower  any  of  the  lights,  Judith 
went  into  her  bedroom  and  started  to  undress. 
It  took  but  a  moment  to  slip  on  her  wrapper,  and 
she  was  about  to  comb  her  hair  when  the  dis- 
orderly appearance  of  her  dressing  table  startled 
her.  Her  toilet  articles  were  tossed  hither  and 
yon. 

Judith's  hand  sought  her  jewelry  box;  the  key 
was  already  turned  in  the  lock.  Tossing  back 
the  lid,  she  gazed  inside  —  the  box  was  empty. 

A  half-strangled  cry  escaped  from  her  white 
lips  and  Richards  heard  it  as  he  entered  the 
boudoir;  a  second  more  and  he  was  by  her  side. 

"  See  —  my  jewels  —  they  are  gone,"  she 
gasped.  "  Your  horseshoe,  even,  Joe." 

"  Hush,  my  darling,  I'll  find  it  or  get  you  an- 
other." Alarmed  by  her  pallor,  he  picked  up  a 
bottle  of  smelling  salts  which  stood  on  the  dress- 
ing table  and  held  it  open  before  her.  "  I  will 
replace  the  jewelry." 

"  You  can't  replace  the  locket." 

"The  locket!"  Richards  changed  color. 
"  Have  you  lost  the  locket?  " 

In  her  agitation  she  failed  to  catch  his  question. 
179 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  My  jewelry  was  here,  every  piece,  and  the 
locket,  when  I  went  in  to  speak  to  you,  Joe," 
she  declared.  "  I  added  the  horseshoe  just  before 
you  called  me." 

Richards  gazed  at  her  in  dum founded  silence. 
"What  is  that?"  he  asked.  "You  left  your 
jewelry  in  that  box  when  you  came  in  to  talk  to 
me  in  the  boudoir  a  little  while  ago  ?  " 

"  Yes;  I  can  swear  to  it." 

Richards  sped  to  the  closet  door  and  flung  it 
open.  Only  wearing  apparel  rewarded  his  search. 
A  glance  at  the  windows  showed  that  they  were 
closed  and  locked  on  the  inside,  the  bathroom  and 
dressing  room  beyond  were  empty!  Convinced 
of  that,  he  turned  back  to  Judith  who  had  sunk 
into  the  chair  before  the  dressing  table. 

"Was  any  one  with  you  in  this  room?"  he 
asked. 

"  No,  I  was  alone."  Judith  passed  her  hand 
dazedly  before  her  eyes,  then  again  inspected  the 
empty  box.  "  Every  piece  of  jewelry  is  gone," 
she  stated,  "  and  the  box  was  full  two  hours  ago." 

"Are  you  sure,  Judith?" 

"  Absolutely  certain  —  the  jewelry  was  stolen 
within  the  last  two  hours." 

Richards  looked  first  at  her  and  then  at  the 
empty  box. 

180 


The  Theft 

"How  can  that  be?"  he  asked.  "There  is 
no  entrance  to  this  bedroom  except  through  the 
boudoir  —  and  you  and  I,  Judith,  have  been  in  the 
boudoir  for  the  past  two  hours." 


CHAPTER  XIII 
"  MIZPAH  " 

DETECTIVE  FERGUSON  completed 
his  tour  of  the  suite  of  three  rooms 
and  bath  which  Judith  and  her  husband 
occupied  and  took  up  his  station  in  the  boudoir. 
At  Richards'  earnest  solicitation  she  had  notified 
Police  Headquarters  of  the  robbery  and  Ferguson 
had  been  detailed  to  investigate  it.  He  was  fol- 
lowed into  the  room  an  instant  later  by  Judith 
who  watched  him  inspect  her  empty  jewelry  box 
with  the  aid  of  a  magnifying  glass.  Quickly  he 
made  his  test  for  finger  prints,  but  she  judged 
from  the  negative  shake  of  his  head  and  his 
puzzled  frown  that  the  results  were  barren. 

"  About  what  hour  did  the  robbery  occur  last 
night?" 

Judith  started  at  the  abrupt  question,  for  Fergu- 
son, recalling  her  deafness  and  forgetful  of  the 
cleverly  concealed  earphone  which  she  wore  con- 
tinually, raised  his  voice  almost  to  a  bellow. 

"  It  must  have   been  between   half -past   nine 
and  half-past  eleven  last  night,"  she  answered. 
182 


"Mzzpah" 

"  You  need  not  speak  so  loudly,  Mr.  Ferguson ;  I 
can  hear  quite  well  if  you  use  your  ordinary 
tone." 

"  Beg  pardon,  I'm  sure,"  and  Ferguson  sunk 
his  voice  to  its  normal  pitch.  "  When  did  you 
last  see  your  jewelry?  " 

"Just  after  taking  off  my  wraps  upon  my  re- 
turn from  dining  at  Rauscher's,"  Judith  ex- 
plained, "  I  opened  the  box  to  put  away  the 
diamond  horseshoe  pin  which  I  had  been 
wearing." 

"  And  your  other  jewelry  was  then  in  the 
box?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Where  were  you  between  half -past  nine  and 
half-past  eleven?" 

"  Here,  in  this  boudoir." 

"  Any  one  with  you?  " 

"  My  husband,  Major  Richards." 

"  Any  one  else?  " 

"  No." 

Ferguson  blinked  at  her  solemnly  for  a  minute, 
then  rising,  stepped  to  the  bedroom  door  and 
glanced  inside. 

"  This  is  the  only  entrance  to  your  bedroom," 
he  remarked,  turning  to  the  silent  girl.  "  How 
could  a  thief  enter  your  room  while  you  and  your 
183 


The  Unseen  Ear 


husband  were  here,  and  you  remain  unaware  of 
it?" 

"  I  am  sure  I  don't  know."  Judith  shook  her 
head  in  bewilderment.  "  I  lay  awake  nearly  all 
night  puzzling  over  the  enigma." 

Ferguson  surveyed  the  boudoir  from  every 
angle  before  again  addressing  her. 

"Where  were  you  sitting?"  he  inquired. 

Judith  crossed  the  boudoir  toward  the  fireplace 
and  wheeled  the  morris  chair  forward  until  it 
stood  in  the  exact  spot  of  the  night  before. 

"  I  sat  here,"  she  explained,  "  and  my  husband 
was  perched  on  the  chair  arm." 

Ferguson  walked  over  and  sat  down  in  the 
chair. 

"  I  presume  you  and  Major  Richards  were  ab- 
sorbed in  conversation,"  he  grumbled,  and  not 
giving  her  an  opportunity  to  answer,  continued, 
"  But  you  both  had  a  good  view  of  the  boudoir 
door  leading  into  the  hall,  through  which  every 
one  has  to  enter.  Any  one  entering  last  night 
would  have  had  to  come  directly  in  your  line  of 
vision.  Was  the  door  open  or  closed  ?  " 

"  Open." 

"  All  the  way  open  ?  "  he  persisted. 
"  The  door  stood  just  as  it  is  now,"  declared 
Judith,  after  studying  it  a  moment.     A  look  out- 
184 


"Mizpah" 

side  convinced  Ferguson  that  a  person  in  the  hall 
would  be  unable  to  see  what  was  transpiring  in 
the  boudoir  at  the  angle  at  which  the  door  stood 
ajar. 

"  A  person  could  enter  without  having  to  push 
it  farther  open,"  he  announced.  "  Does  the  door 
squeak  ?  "  Springing  to  his  feet  he  answered  his 
own  question  by  moving  the  door  to  and  fro. 
"  Nary  a  squeak,"  he  commented,  and  drawing 
out  his  memorandum  book  sat  down  near  Judith. 
"  Now,  madam,  was  it  your  custom  to  keep  the 
jewelry  box  on  your  dressing  table?" 

"  When  I  was  in  my  bedroom  or  in  here,  yes," 
replied  Judith.  "  At  other  times  I  kept  it  in  the 
drawer  of  my  bureau." 

"  Was  the  key  in  the  lock  of  the  box?  " 

"  Yes."  Observing  his  smile,  Judith  frowned. 
"  I  do  not  usually  leave  the  key  in  the  lock,  but 
my  husband  called  to  me  and  I  joined  him  here, 
leaving  the  box  standing  on  my  dressing  table." 

"  I  see."  Ferguson  stared  reflectively  at  her 
for  a  few  seconds.  "  Ever  had  anything  stolen 
before?" 

"  Never  any  jewelry,"  Judith  spoke  with  un- 
usual rapidity.  "  Nor  any  money,"  she  added. 

Ferguson  pursed  his  lips  and  tapped  them  with 
his  pencil. 

185 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Odd !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Were  the  servants 
aware  that  you  had  this  jewelry  box?  " 

"  They  may  have  been,  for  while  I  do  not  have 
a  personal  maid,  Anna,  the  waitress,  and  Maud 
sometimes  assist  me  in  dressing  for  evening  en- 
tertainments." Judith  wondered  when  Ferguson 
would  go.  She  desired  most  heartily  to  be  alone 
and  thresh  out  her  problems  by  herself.  "  It  is 
probable  that  both  the  girls  have  seen  the  jewelry 
box  on  my  dressing  table,"  she  added  after  a 
brief  pause. 

"Where  were  the  servants  last  night?"  asked 
the  detective. 

"  Anna  was  in  her  bedroom  suffering  from  a 
sprained  ankle  " —  Judith's  foot  was  keeping  np 
an  incessant  tattoo.  "  Maud  let  me  in ;  after  that 
I  did  not  see  her  again.  They  have  both  been 
here  for  years  and  are  excellent  servants  —  they 
are  English." 

Ferguson  made  a  slight  grimace.  "  That  Maud 
is  a  nice  she-devil,"  he  exclaimed  below  his  breath  ; 
Maud's  scathing  remarks  about  the  inefficiency  of 
the  detective  force  in  general  and  Ferguson  in 
particular  still  rankled.  "  I'd  like  to " —  he 
checked  himself  and  again  addressed  Judith. 

"  How  much  approximately  was  your  jewelry 
worth,  Mrs.  Richards  ?  " 
1 86 


"Mizpah" 

Judith  took  a  paper  from  her  mesh  bag. 
"  Here  is  a  list  of  the  articles  in  the  jewelry  box," 
she  explained.  "  Major  Richards  suggested  that 
I  prepare  it  for  you." 

"  That's  fine."  Ferguson  reached  eagerly  for 
the  paper  and  scanned  the  items  with  increasing 
interest.  "  I  see  you  estimate  the  jewelry  at  four 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars,"  he  remarked.  "  A 
pretty  haul  for  any  thief.  Fortunately  your 
initials  are  on  every  piece,"  running  his  eye  down 
the  list  in  which  Judith  had  inserted  a  minute 
description  of  the  jewelry.  "  Hold  on,  here's  one 
item,  a  locket  —  with  nothing  checked  against  it 
—  has  the  locket  any  distinguishing  mark?" 

Footsteps  behind  Judith  caused  her  to  whirl 
around,  and  she  saw  Richards  stop  behind  her 
chair. 

"  I  couldn't  get  away  any  sooner,"  he  explained. 
"  Your  mother  detained  me  in  the  dining  room. 
Good-morning,  Ferguson ;  has  my  wife  told  you  of 
the  disappearance  of  her  jewelry?" 

"  Yes,  Major,  and  I  was  just  asking  her  for 
details  to  aid  in  identifying  it  at  the  pawn  shops," 
Ferguson  again  referred  to  the  list  he  was  hold- 
ing. "  What  about  that  locket,  Mrs.  Richards?  " 

Judith  closed  her  mesh  bag  with  a  snap  and  the 
quick  tilt  upward  of  her  chin  indicated  to 
187 


The  Unseen  Ear 


Richards,  who  had  grown  to  know  each  mood  and 
tense,  that  she  had  reached  a  sudden  decision. 

"The  locket  bore  the  word  '  Mizpah/  in 
raised  lettering,"  she  stated.  "  Otherwise  it  is 
insignificant  in  appearance." 

"Do  you  attach  any  particular  value  to  it?" 
questioned  Ferguson. 

"  No  money  value,"  she  responded  quietly,  and 
the  detective  looked  sharply  at  her. 

"  I  see ;  you  mean  it  is  a  trinket  of  importance 
from  sentiment  only,"  he  commented. 

It  was  Major  Richards  who  answered  and  not 
his  wife.  "  You've  hit  it,"  he  laughed.  "  I  pre- 
sume Mrs.  Richards  values  the  locket  more  highly 
than  rubies." 

Judith  looked  at  him  oddly  before  turning  to  the 
•detective.  "  I  have  a  request  to  make  of  you, 
Mr.  Ferguson,"  she  began,  without  preface.  "  It 
is  that  you  make  no  mention  of  the  loss  of  my 
jewelry  to  any  one.  I  am  convinced  that  if  we 
conduct  the  search  in  secrecy,  the  thief  will  betray 
himself." 

Ferguson  stroked  his  cheek  thoughtfully.  "  I 
don't  like  the  idea,"  he  objected.  "  I  am  a  be- 
liever in  publicity  myself." 

"  You  have  had  plenty  of  publicity  in  the 
Austin  Hale  case,"  Richards  pointed  out  dryly. 

188 


"Mizpah" 

"  I  cannot  see  that  it  has  advanced  you  very 
far." 

Ferguson  reddened.  "  We  haven't  told  the 
public  all  we  know,"  he  admitted.  "  There  are  a 
few  cards  up  our  sleeve." 

"  For  instance  ? "  and  Richards'  smile  was 
tantalizing. 

"  As  to  the  nature  of  Hale's  wound  " —  the 
detective  paused  abruptly  — "  but  that  will  come 
out  in  the  medical  evidence  at  the  inquest." 

"And  when  will  the  inquest  be  held?"  de- 
manded Richards. 

"  When  we  lay  our  hands  on  a  material  witness 
necessary  before  we  can  present  the  case,"  Fergu- 
son spoke  with  provoking  slowness.  "  You  will 
learn  all  the  facts  in  good  time,  Major;  at  present 
certain  clews  cannot  be  divulged." 

"  I  thought  you  were  an  advocate  of  publicity,'* 
Richards  remarked,  and  again  Ferguson  flushed. 

"  You've  got  me,"  he  acknowledged  with  a 
show  of  good  nature.  "  All  right,  Mrs.  Richards, 
I'll  conduct  this  investigation  as  quietly  as  possi- 
ble. But  how  are  you  going  to  prevent  your 
family's  knowing  that  you  have  lost  your  jew- 
elry? Won't  they  comment  when  you  don't  wear 
it?" 

"If  they  do  I  shall  say  that  I  have  put  it  in 
189 


The  Unseen  Ear 


my  safe  deposit  box,"  was  Judith's  ready  re- 
sponse. "  My  father  has  frequently  urged  me  to 
do  so  in  the  past  and  with  Austin's  death  and  the 
theft  of  his  watch,  what's  more  likely  than  that 
I  should  place  my  jewelry  in  a  safe  place?" 

Ferguson  nodded  his  approval.  "  That  is  a 
wise  argument,"  he  said.  "  No  one  can  dispute 
it.  Now,  about  Mr.  Hale's  watch," —  he  turned 
back  the  pages  of  his  memorandum  book  until  he 
came  to  a  certain  entry  — "  can  you  describe  it  ?  " 

"  In  a  general  way,"  Judith  spoke  with  some 
hesitation.  "  I  have  seen  the  watch  often,  but  I 
am  not  very  observant." 

Ferguson  considered  her  for  some  seconds  in 
silence.  He  disagreed  with  her  statement  — 
Judith,  in  his  opinion,  was  not  the  heedless  type; 
her  detailed  description  of  her  jewelry,  safely 
tucked  away  in  his  pocket,  proved  that. 

"What  was  the  watch  like,  Mrs.  Richards?" 
he  asked  for  the  second  time. 

"  It  was  an  antique,  made  before  the  Revolu- 
tion, so  family  tradition  has  it,"  she  stated,  "  an 
open-faced  watch,  wound  with  a  key  and  the  dial 
has  an  American  eagle  beautifully  etched  upon 
it." 

Ferguson  took  down  her  words,  closed  his  note- 
book and  rose. 

190 


"Mizpah" 

"  I  am  greatly  obliged,"  he  said.  "  It  should 
not  be  difficult  to  trace  young  Male's  watch  and 
also  your  jewelry  if  the  thief  tries  to  dispose  of 
it.  But  that,"  he  stared  at  her,  "  presupposes  it 
was  the  work  of  an  ordinary  thief." 

"And  what  leads  you  to  think  otherwise?" 
asked  Judith  swiftly. 

Ferguson  took  several  steps  toward  the  door 
and  hesitated  in  some  uncertainty.  "  Your  jew- 
elry was  stolen  by  some  one  familiar  with  your 
habits  and  familiar  with  the  arrangement  of  these 
rooms,"  he  stated  gravely.  "  There  is  no  possible 
way  of  entering  your  bedroom  save  through  this 
boudoir,  as  all  your  windows  were  found  locked 
on  the  inside.  How  the  thief  stole  by  you  and 
your  husband  unobserved  while  you  sat  here,  we 
have  yet  to  discover.  But,  take  it  from  me,  the 
thief  was  a  member  of  this  household.  Good- 
morning."  Not  pausing  for  reply,  the  detective 
vanished. 

"  A  member  of  this  household,"  repeated 
Richards  thoughtfully.  "  Judith,  have  you  no 
suspicion  —  no  clew?"  and  his  eyes  searched  her 
face  anxiously. 

Judith  leaned  back  in  her  chair  and  gradually 
her  tense  muscles  relaxed. 

"I  have  no  clew,"  she  replied.  "But  —  tell 
191 


The  Unseen  Ear 


me,  when  you  got  that  glass  of  water  for  me, 
did  you  glance  at  all  into  our  bedroom  ?  " 

Richards  pressed  down  the  tobacco  in  his  pipe 
and  hunted  through  his  pockets  for  a  match. 

"Did  I  look  into  our  bedroom?"  he  asked, 
*  I  may  have  looked,  but  I  can't  swear  to  it." 


CHAPTER  XIV 
SUSPICION 

A  DOOR  slammed  and  hasty  footsteps 
sounded  down  the  corridor,  then  a 
figure  blocked  the  doorway  to  the  sit- 
ting room  of  Latimer's  bachelor  apartment. 

"She's  gone!" 

Latimer  dropped  the  Sunday  newspaper  he  had 
been  reading  and  stared  at  John  Hale.  For  a 
moment  he  had  not  recognized  his  friend's  voice 
—  it  was  hoarse,  discordant. 

"  She  —  who  ?  "  he  exclaimed,  springing  to  his 
feet. 

"  Polly."  John  Hale  swayed  slightly,  then 
lunged  for  the  nearest  chair  and  dropped  into  it. 
Latimer  wasted  no  words,  but  poured  out  a  liberal 
pony  of  brandy  and  placed  it  in  his  hand. 

"Feel  better?"  he  asked,  watching  the  color 
steal  back  into  John  Hale's  white  cheeks  as  he 
put  the  empty  brandy  glass  on  the  mantel.  Not 
receiving  an  answer  to  his  query,  he  busied  him- 
self about  the  room  which  served  as  library  and 
193 


The  Unseen  Ear 


office.  A  colored  factotum  who  "  went  with  the 
apartment  "  served  his  breakfasts ;  the  other  meals 

Latimer  took  at  his  club  or  at  Rauscher's.     His 

I 

two  rooms,  bath,  and  kitchenette  were  unusually 
large,  owing  to  the  building  having  been,  before 
the  World  War,  a  private  residence.  The  archi- 
tect, in  remodeling  it,  had  been  generous  in  his 
allotment  of  space. 

At  the  end  of  ten  minutes  John  Hale  pulled 
himself  together  and  signed  to  Latimer  to  draw 
up  a  chair. 

"  Sorry  I  made  such  a  fool  of  myself,"  he  be- 
gan, "  but  I'm  hard  hit." 

Latimer  looked  at  him  in  distress.  "  What  is 
wrong?  "  he  asked. 

"  Polly's  gone." 

"  So  you  stated  before.     Where  has  she  gone?  5> 

"  I  can't  find  out."  John  Hale  drummed  his 
fingers  nervously  up  and  down  his  walking  stick 
to  which  he  still  clung.  "  You  know  I  called  up 
Mrs.  Davis  after  our  fruitless  trip  to  Chevy  Chase. 
She  said  Polly  had  come  in  and  gone  to  bed." 

"  Well,  it  was  pretty  late  when  we  got  back," 
Latimer  pointed  out. 

"  Yes,  thanks  to  that  traffic  cop."     John  Hale 
frowned   angrily.     "  I'd  have  seen  Polly  if  he 
hadn't  insisted  on  taking  us  to  the  police  station." 
194 


Suspicion 

"  Your  previous  record  for  speeding  was 
against  you,  John,"  remarked  Latimer  mildly. 
"  But  what  about  Polly  ?  " 

"  This  morning  I  ran  over  to  see  her ;  found 
her  mother  in  tears,  and  a  trained  nurse  looking 
after  her  and — "  John  Hale  stopped  and  pulled 
out  a  crumpled  note  — "  here,  read  for  yourself," 
and  tossed  it  to  him. 

Latimer  scanned  the  few  lines: 

DEAR  MOTHER: 

Nurse  Phelps  will  spend  a  few  days  with  you  in 
my  absence.  Have  run  off  for  that  promised  change. 
Don't  worry,  darling.  POLLY. 

"  Well?  "  he  asked  as  he  returned  the  note. 

"  Mrs.  Davis  told  me  that  she  had  wished 
Polly  to  take  a  vacation  for  some  time  and  visit 
their  cousin,  Mrs.  Paul  Davis,  at  Markham,  Vir- 
ginia. She  believed  Polly  had  gone  there." 
John  Hale  paused.  "  I've  just  talked  with  Mrs. 
Paul  Davis  on  the  long  distance  telephone. 
Polly  is  not  with  her,  and  not  expected." 

Latimer  regarded  John  Hale  in  bewilderment. 
"  Then  where  has  she  gone  ?  "  he  questioned. 

"  I  have  no  idea."  Again  John  Hale  played 
with  his  walking  stick. 

Latimer  considered  him  gravely.  "  What  am 
195 


The  Unseen  Ear 


I  to  infer?"  he  asked.     "That  Polly  has  disap- 
peared? " 

"Yes." 

"But,  my  heavens,  man!     Why?" 

John  Hale  shifted  his  walking  stick  from  one 
hand  to  the  other.  "  Overwork,"  he  said  briefly; 
"unbalanced." 

"  Good  Lord !  "  Again  Latimer  considered 
him.  "  Polly  did  not  look  ill." 

"  But  she  was,"  fiercely.  "  Any  fool  could 
have  seen  it." 

"  Possibly  so,"  agreed  Latimer  quietly.  "  I 
haven't  seen  Polly  as  frequently  as  you  or 
Austin." 

John  Hale's  strong  white  teeth  snapped  vi- 
ciously at  his  under  lip. 

"  Leave  Austin's  name  out  of  it  " —  his  manner 
was  dictatorial  in  the  extreme  and  Latimer 
flushed. 

"  I  will,  with  pleasure,  but  " —  he  hesitated, 
then  disregarding  John  Hale's  glare,  continued 
steadily  — "  are  you  quite  sure  that  Austin's 
tragic  death  has  not  had  something  to  do  with 
Polly's  —  as  you  claim  —  mental  condition  ?  " 

John  Hale  compressed  his  lips  ominously. 
"  No,"  he  declared  "  Get  such  an  idea  out  of 
your  head  at  once." 

196 


Suspicion 

"  I  can't,"  Latimer  confessed  frankly.  "  Aus- 
tin and  Polly  were  engaged." 

"  Were  ?  Quite  so."  John  Kale's  laugh  was 
mirthless.  "  The  engagement  was  broken  by 
Polly  before  his  death." 

"How  soon  before  his  death?" 

"Damn!  What  business  is  it  of  yours?'' 
John  Hale  turned  on  him  savagely. 

Latimer  rose.  "  None  of  my  business  — 
now,"  he  said.  "  You  were  the  first  to  bring  up 
the  discussion.  You  are  of  course  at  liberty  to 
express  your  views;  I  reserve  the  right  to  hold 
my  own  opinion.  Good-morning." 

"  Here,  wait  — "  John  Hale  pushed  Latimer 
back  in  his  chair.  "  I  spoke  hastily  —  without 
thought  —  and  I  apologize.  I'm  a  bit  unhinged." 

Latimer  regarded  him  with  concern. 

"  Have  you  had  any  breakfast?  "  he  asked. 

"  No  —  yes  —  coffee  -and  rolls ;  all  I  wanted," 
John  Hale  moved  restlessly.  "  I  must  find 
Polly." 

"  Have  you  reported  her  disappearance  to  the 
police  ?  " 

"  No,  certainly  not ;  we  must  have  no  scandal," 
John  Hale  frowned.  "  You  a«d  I  must  find 
Polly." 

"  Willingly  —  but  how  are  we  to  go  about  it  ?  " 
197 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  For  one  thing,  you  can  call  on  Mrs.  Davis 
under  pretense  of  wishing  to  engage  Polly  as  your 
stenographer,  -and  she  will  probably  give  you  her 
present  address.  You  may  get  more  out  of  her 
than  I  did.  Frankly," —  John  Hale  gave  an  em- 
barrassed laugh  — "  Mrs.  Davis'  manner  to  me 
has  been  very  peculiar  lately.  To-day  she  ap- 
peared almost  to  resent  my  questions  regarding 
Polly's  whereabouts." 

Latimer  whistled.  "  So ! "  he  exclaimed. 
"  She  may  be  aiding  Polly  to  avoid  you." 

"  That  hadn't  occurred  to  me,"  John  Hale  ad- 
mitted. "  But  why  ?  She  knows  I  am  Polly's 
best  friend." 

Latimer  took  out  his  cigarette  case  and  offered 
it  to  his  companion.  With  his  lef.t  hand  he  indi- 
cated the  box  of  matches  on  the  smoking  stand  at 
Hale's  elbow. 

"  Have  you  and  Polly  quarreled  ? "  he  asked. 

It  took  a  few  seconds  for  John  Hale  to  light 
his  cigarette.  "  No,"  he  said  between  puffs. 
Then,  removing  his  cigarette,  he  looked  straight 
at  Latimer.  "  Polly  is  everything  to  me,"  he 
stated  solemnly.  "  I  will  never  give  her  up.  She 
shall  be  my  wife,"  and  his  clenched  fist  struck 
the  arm  of  his  chair  a  resounding  blow.  "  Austin, 
dead  or  alive,  shall  not  come  between  us." 
198 


Suspicion 

Latimer  looked  at  him  and  then  away.  In  the 
glance  he  had  detected  a  glimpse  of  the  man  he 
had  never  seen  before  —  he  had  never  suspected. 
In  that  instant  a  naked  soul  had  been  bared  in  all 
its  human  frailties. 

"  Austin  has  always  been  a  disappointment  to 
me,"  John  Hale  continued  —  he  spoke  almost  as 
if  communing  with  himself  and  forgetful  of 
Latimer's  presence.  "  For  his  mother's  sake  I 
condoned  his  wild  habits  while  at  college,  his 
affairs  with  women," — his  voice  rasped  through 
the  room  — "  then  he  dared  to  play  fast  and  loose 
with  Polly." 

"  He  did  ? "  Latimer  looked  up,  startled. 
""Good  Lord,  you  don't  suppose  —  ?"  he  winced 
under  John  Hale's  iron  grip  and  stopped  speak- 
ing. 

"  I  suppose  nothing,"  John  Hale  spoke  with 
fierce  intentness.  "  Austin  had  enemies,  but 
Polly  was  not  one  of  them  —  she  had  taken  his 
measure  and  ceased  to  care." 

Latimer  broke  the  ensuing  silence. 

"Then  why  has  Polly  bolted?"  he  asked. 

John  Hale  winced  and  tapped  his  cane  against 
his  shoe. 

"  Polly  is  ill  from  overwork,"  he  insisted 
doggedly.  "  Come,  we  are  wasting  time.  Sup- 
199 


The  Unseen  Ear 


pose  I  run  you  down  to  Polly's  house  and  you  can 
question  Mrs.  Davis.  You  are  not  busy,  are 
you  ?  "  with  a  quick  look  about  the  room. 

"  No ;  I'll  be  with  you  in  a  minute,"  and 
Latimer,  true  to  his  word,  kept  him  waiting  only 
long  enough  to  get  his  overcoat  and  hat. 

Fifteen  minutes  later  Latimer  was  mounting 
the  high  steps  of  the  old-fashioned  mansion  on 
C  Street  where  Polly  and  her  mother  eked  out  a 
small  and  steadily  shrinking  income  by  taking 
"  paying  guests,"  a  profitable  business  during  the 
World  War,  but  one  that  had  grown  less  so  with 
the  departure  of  the  army  of  war-workers  who 
had  transformed  Washington  from  a  city  of 
leisure  into  one  of  volcanic  activity  and  unpleas- 
ant congestion.  It  was  not  until  Latimer's  pa- 
tience had  grown  threadbare  with  repeated  rapping 
and  long  intervals  of  waiting  that  a  small,  neatly 
dressed  colored  girl,  seemingly  not  over  fifteen 
years  of  age,  opened  the  door  and  invited  him 
to  walk  inside. 

"  Magnolia,"  called  a  voice  from  the  direction 
of  the  back  stairs.  "  Show  the  gentleman  into 
the  parlor." 

"  Yassam,"    Magnolia's   expansive   smile   dis- 
closed a  row  of  perfect  teeth.     "  Dis  hyar  way, 
suh;  de  madam  will  be  long  d'reckly.     Who  did 
200 


Suspicion 

you  say,  stih  ? "  evidently  impressed  with  his 
stylish  frock  coat  and  neatly  creased  trousers. 
"  Miss  Polly  done  gone  away." 

"  I  wish  to  see  Mrs.  Davis,"  and  Latimer 
handed  her  a  visiting  card. 

"  Yas,  suh,  sutenly,  suh."  Magnolia,  meeting 
his  friendly  smile,  grinned  from  ear  to  ear,  then 
bolted  with  astonishing  rapidity  out  of  the  room. 
She  was  totally  oblivious  of  the  fact  that  her 
youthful,  penetrating  voice,  raised  to  a  pitch  to 
reach  Mrs.  Davis  standing  on  the  top  stair  land- 
ing, carried  her  words  to  Latimer's  ears. 

"  Dar's  a  splendiferous  lookin'  gentle'um  in  his 
Sunday  clothes  waitin'  ter  see  yo' ;  no,  ma'am,  he 
didn't  arsk  fo'  Miss  Polly,  jes'  fo'  you' —  he's 
got  on  great  big  spectacles  and  a  top  hat.  What 
dat  —  you  wish  de  gentle'um's  cyard?  Laws, 
'scuse  me,  I  done  forgot  " —  and  with  a  loud 
snicker,  Magnolia  raced  up  the  steps  and  pushed 
the  pasteboard  into  Mrs.  Davis's  outstretched 
hand. 

Latimer  had  met  Mrs.  Davis  a  number  of  times 
at  Mrs.  Hale's  and  she  had  chaperoned  a  number 
of  parties  given  in  Polly's  honor  by  John  Hale. 
She  looked  extremely  pretty,  with  her  soft  gray 
hair  becomingly  dressed,  her  cheeks,  unwrinkled 
in  spite  of  multiplied  cares,  held  a  deeper  touch 
201 


The  Unseen  Ear 


of  color  as  she  entered  the  parlor  and  greeted 
Latimer.  He  admired  her  gentle  manner  and  her 
air  of  breeding  which  no  contact  with  the  rough 
workaday  world  had  the  power  to  efface. 

"  I  trust  I  have  not  disturbed  you  by  selecting 
this  unconventional  hour  to  call,"  he  began,  seat- 
ing himself  somewhat  gingerly  on  the  edge  of  a 
rickety  antique  chair  which  had  been  the  pride  of 
Polly's  great  grandfather.  "  Your  maid  said 
that  Miss  Polly  was  out,  and  as  my  errand  is 
somewhat  urgent,  I  asked  to  see  you." 

Mrs.  Davis's  brilliant  color  receded  somewhat 
and  her  left  hand  played  nervously  with  her  chain 
of  coral  from  which  was  suspended  a  gold  locket. 

"  You  are  always  welcome,"  she  said,  "  no 
matter  what  your  errand." 

"  Thanks,"  and  Latimer,  much  touched,  smiled 
with  equal  cordiality.  "  I  am  in  immediate  need 
of  a  first  class  stenographer,  and  I  wondered  if  I 
could  persuade  Miss  Polly  to  forsake  Robert  Hale 
and  come  to  me.  I  will  double  her  present 
salary." 

Mrs.  Davis  drew  in  her  breath.  "  That  is  a 
handsome  offer,"  she  exclaimed.  "  Of  course  I 
cannot  answer  for  Polly,  but,  as  she  has  already 
resigned  her  position  with  Robert  Hale — " 

"  She  has  resigned,  then?  " 
202 


Suspicion 

"  Yes."  Mrs.  Davis  looked  her  surprise  at  the 
abruptness  of  the  question.  "I  —  I  did  not  ap- 
prove of  her  working  so  late  at  night.  Mr.  Hale 
is  kind  in  his  way,  but  he  is  most  exacting.  The 
idea  of  keeping  her  out  until  long  after  midnight 
on  Tuesday,  and  night  before  last,  and  then  let- 
ting her  come  home  in  the  street  cars !  He  might 
at  least,  have  sent  her  home  in  his  limousine." 
Mrs.  Davis  came  to  an  indignant  pause  and  Lati- 
mer  looked  his  sympathy. 

"  Miss  Polly  will  have  no  night  work  to  do 
for  me,"  he  said.  "  And  the  office  hours  are  not 
long  —  the  Stock  Exchange  closes  early,  you 
know,  and  not  much  business  is  transacted  after 
that." 

Mrs.  Davis  nodded  her  head  wisely.  "  I  real- 
ize that,"  she  agreed.  "  The  stock  market  ap- 
pears a  bit  more  lively  just  now,  Mr.  Latimer. 
Tell  me," —  and  she  lowered  her  voice  to  a  confi- 
dential pitch  — "  how  are  the  Troy  Valve  bonds 
rated  now  ?  " 

"  They  have  picked  up  five  points."  Latimer 
regarded  her  in  some  surprise.  "  I  did  not  know 
you  took  an  interest  in  the  stock  market,  Mrs. 
Davis." 

She  colored  painfully.  "  In  former  years  we 
were  large  stockholders,"  she  said ;  "  now,  alas, 
203 


The  Unseen  Ear 


our  securities  have  shrunk  to  these  of  Valve 
bonds.  I  must  tell  Polly  what  you  say.  It  is 
always  \vell  to  sell  on  a  rising  market,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"If  you  wish  to  sell,  yes,"  dryly.  Latimer, 
conscious  of  the  passing  time,  was  having  diffi- 
culty concealing  his  uneasiness  as  he  thought  of 
John  Hale  waiting  a  block  away  in  his  car.  In 
his  impatience  he  might  forget  the  role  he  had  cast 
for  Latimer  and,  instead  of  awaiting  the  latter's 
return,  walk  in  at  any  moment  and,  by  incautious 
questions,  betray  his  own  plot  to  discover  Polly's 
whereabouts.  "  How  soon  will  Miss  Polly  be 
in?" 

"  Oh,  she  is  at  Markham,  Virginia,  with  my 
cousin,  Mrs.  Paul  Davis,"  she  responded  easily. 
"  You  had  best  write  to  her  there  or,  if  you  pre- 
fer, I  will  write  and  tell  her  of  your  offer." 

"  That  is  kind  of  you."  Latimer  had  some 
difficulty  schooling  his  voice  to  the  proper  pitch 
of  enthusiasm  for  his  role.  "  But  I  must  have 
Miss  Polly's  answer  to-day.  Can  we  not  call  her 
up  on  the  long  distance  ?  I  see  your  telephone  is 
in  that  corner  " —  and  he  stepped  toward  it. 

Mrs.  Davis  stopped  him  with  a  gesture.  "  No 
use,  Mrs.  Paul  Davis  has  no  telephone,"  she 
stated  calmly.  "  I  can  send  my  letter  special  de- 
livery and  she  will  get  it  to-day  and  wire  to- 
204 


Suspicion 

morrow  morning   when   the   telegraph   office   is 
open." 

'  That  would  perhaps  be  best."  Latimer  made 
no  effort,  however,  to  conceal  his  disappointment. 
"  Is  there  any  chance  of  Miss  Polly's  returning 
this  afternoon?  " 

"  Hardly,"  Mrs.  Davis  smiled  in  open  amuse- 
ment. "  She  left  for  Markham  only  this  morn- 
ing." 

"  In  that  case  it  looks  as  if  I  shall  have  to 
wait  until  to-morrow,"  Latimer's  voice  was  rue- 
ful. "  I  wish  that  I  had  asked  John  Hale  to  tell 
Miss  Polly  last  night  that  I  wished  to  engage 
her  as  my  secretary." 

"  John  did  not  see  Polly  last  night."  A  faint 
hardness  crept  into  Mrs.  Davis's  softly  modulated 
tone.  "  She  worked  very  late  at  the  Hales'  " — 
she  hesitated,  looked  up,  and  caught  his  sympa- 
thetic expression.  "  Oh,  Mr.  Latimer,  I  cannot 
help  feeling  that  Polly  sees  too  much  of  the  Hales 
—  thinks  too  much  of  them  and  their  interests  — 
they  are  so  cold-blooded  —  so  calculating.  I 
wish  " —  and  her  voice  choked  with  feeling  — "  I 
wish  that  she  had  been  dead  before  she  ever  saw 
John  Hale." 

Latimer  regarded  Mrs.  Davis  steadily.     "  John 
is  a  good  fellow,"  he  protested,  "  a  loyal  friend 
205 


The  Unseen  Ear 


and  a  devoted  admirer  of  your  daughter."  He 
studied  her  covertly.  "  Much  more  so  than 
Austin  — " 

"  Ah,  there  you  are  wrong  " —  Mrs.  Davis 
stopped  and  cast  a  frightened  look  about  the 
room.  "  Poor  Austin,  I  cannot  realize  that  he 
has  gone  from  us.  He  was  so  full  of  life,  so 
anxious  to  succeed  —  his  death  is  a  tragedy." 

"  And  a  mystery,"  supplemented  Latimer 
dryly. 

"  A  mystery  indeed."  Mrs.  Davis  raised  a 
small  perfumed  handkerchief  to  her  dry  eyes. 
"  My  heart  goes  out  to  the  Hales,  they  have  much 
to  endure."  Latimer  stared  —  she  was  express- 
ing somewhat  contradictory  views  about  the  Hale 
family  almost  in  one  breath.  She  moved  closer 
to  him.  "  Have  the  police  discovered  any  fresh 
clews?  " 

"  Not  to  my  knowledge."  Latimer  edged  to- 
ward the  hall  door.  He  dared  not  linger,  every 
extra  moment  might  bring  John  Hale  in  search 
of  him.  "  Suppose  you  write  to  your  daughter, 
Mrs.  Davis,  and  I  will  also  send  her  a  note  within 
the  hour.  If  you  have  word  from  her  will  you 
promise  to  let  me  know  at  once?" 

"  Certainly."     Mrs.  Davis  accompanied  him  to 
the  front  door.     "  I  feel  sure  Polly  will  gladly 
206 


Suspicion 

accept  3'our  offer.  How  soon  would  you  wish 
her  to  commence  work  ?  " 

"  Immediately." 

"  Oh !  "  Mrs.  Davis  looked  taken  aback.  "  She 
really  needs  rest  and  recreation,  Mr.  Latimer. 
Remember,  she  has  just  started  on  her  vacation." 

Latimer  thought  a  moment.  "  She  might  come 
to  me  for  a  few  weeks,  just  over  this  month,  then 
go  on  another  vacation,  or  rather,  continue  this 
one,  with  pay." 

"  I  will  write  that  to  Polly."  She  shook  his 
hand  warmly.  "  I  appreciate  your  kindness  and 
I  am  confident  that  Polly  will  come  to  you  if 
she  is  physically  able." 

"  Then  I  am  fortunate,"  laughed  Latimer. 
Mrs.  Davis's  smile  was  infectious. 

"  Just  a  moment."  Mrs.  Davis  detained  him 
as  he  was  about  to  run  down  the  steps.  Her 
pretty  coaxing  manner  reminded  him  of  Polly  — 
mother  and  daughter  were  much  alike  in  appear- 
ance; only  to  Latimer's  fastidious  taste,  Mrs. 
Davis  was  the  more  attractive.  There  was  a  cer- 
tain aggressiveness  about  Polly,  in  spite  of  her 
good  looks,  which  always  repelled  him.  "  Please 
treat  what  I  said  just  now  about  John  Hale  as 
strictly  confidential." 

"  Certainly,  madam,"  and  Latimer  returned 
207 


The  Unseen  Ear 


the  pressure  of  her  hand,  then  he  continued  down 
the  steps,  her  parting  hail  ringing  in  his  ears: 

"  Remember,  not  a  word !  " 

When  Latimer  rounded  the  corner  into  Penn- 
sylvania Avenue  where  John  Hale  had  agreed 
to  wait  for  him,  his  face  was  grave.  He  said 
nothing  as  he  climbed  into  the  car  and  dropped 
down  beside  his  friend,  but  as  the  car  continued 
up  the  avenue,  he  broke  his  silence. 

"  I  failed,"  he  admitted  honestly,  and  a  groan 
of  disappointment  broke  from  John  Hale. 
"  Don't  worry,  I'll  get  Polly's  address  to-morrow. 
Mrs.  Davis  thinks  I  called  to  engage  Polly  as 
my  secretary." 

Had  either  Latimer  or  John  Hale  turned  his 
head  and  looked  backward  he  could  not  have 
failed  to  see  a  woman  standing  under  a  tree  at 
the  corner  of  John  Marshall  Place.  Their  car 
was  lost  in  the  traffic  before  Mrs.  Davis,  recover- 
ing from  a  feeling  of  breathlessness  produced  by 
the  unusual  exertion  of  running,  turned  slowly 
homeward. 


CHAPTER  XV 
THE  PUSH  BUTTON 

MRS.    HALE   contemplated   Anna,    the 
waitress,  with  marked  disapproval. 
"  You  should  not  attempt  to  exert 
yourself  until  Dr.  McLane  gives  you  permission," 
she  announced,  with  severity. 

"  Dr.  McLane  told  me  to  walk  about  as  much 
as  possible,  madam."  Anna's  manner  was  re- 
spectful almost  to  the  point  of  servility.  "  He 
promised  to  be  here  this  afternoon.  Indeed,  Mrs. 
Hale,  I'll  be  careful.  Don't  worry,  madam." 

"  I  suppose  the  doctor  knows  what  he  is  about " 
—  Mrs.  Hale,  however,  looked  extremely  doubt- 
ful as  she  spoke.  Her  own  attacks  of  illness  were 
distinct  trials  to  every  member  of  her  family, 
as  her  chronic  objection  to  following  the  doctor's 
orders  or  taking  his  medicines  generally  retarded 
her  recovery  and  produced  a  wish  that  "  the  Old 
Scratch  "  would  get  her,  that  opinion  having  been 
voiced  by  a  long-suffering  trained  nurse,  whose 
training  had  not  included  a  course  in  insults. 
209 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Dr.  McLane  is  sometimes  inclined  to  error," 
Mrs.  Hale  continued  after  a  slight  pause. 
"  Don't  take  his  directions  too  literally,  Anna. 
Modify  them.  If  he  said  walk  about  for  an  hour, 
cut  it  to  one  half.  And  never  take  a  full  dose  of 
anything  prescribed,  reduce  it  by  one  half." 

"  Yes,  madam ;  thank  you,"  and  Anna  executed 
a  bob  of  a  courtesy  in  spite  of  her  injured  ankle. 
"  Is  there  anything  I  can  do  for  you?  " 

"  No,  I  think  not.  Now,  mind  what  I  say, 
don't  overexert  yourself." 

"  Yes,  madam,"  and  Anna  started  for  the  door 
only  to  be  called  back  by  Mrs.  Hale. 

"  As  you  go  downstairs  please  tell  Maud  that 
Mr.  Latimer  will  lunch  with  us  —  that  is,  I  think 
he  will,  but  he  hasn't  answered  my  telephone 
message."  Mrs.  Hale  thought  a  minute. 
"  Maud  can  put  a  place  for  him." 

"  Very  well,  madam." 

"  Wait,  there's  one  thing  more."  Mrs.  Hale 
laid  aside  her  knitting  bag,  preparatory  to  rising. 
"  See  that  the  table  is  properly  set,  Anna,  please. 
Maud  is  —  eh  —  not  particular,  and  I  am." 

"  I  will  set  the  table  myself,  madam." 

"  No,  no,  that  is  too  much  exertion  for  you, 
Anna." 

"  But,  madam,  I  am  strong  again,  see  " —  and 
210 


The  Push  Button 


Anna  stepped  across  the  room.  Her  limp  was 
slight.  Mrs.  Hale  heaved  a  sigh  of  relief. 

'*  You  have  had  a  remarkable  recovery,"  she 
exclaimed.  "  My  remedies  can  be  relied  on  to 
effect  a  quick  cure.  By  the  way," —  the  thought 
of  luncheon  uppermost  for  the  moment  — "  if 
there  is  time  enough,  please  make  an  apple  salad." 

"  Certainly,  madam.     Is  there  anything  else?" 

"  No,  I  can  think  of  nothing."  Mrs.  Hale 
wrinkled  her  brow,  but  no  new  ideas  came  to  her 
active  brain.  "Where  is  Miss  Judith?" 

"  In  her  boudoir,  madam."  Anna,  who  had 
taken  several  steps  toward  the  door,  paused. 
"  Maud  told  me  just  now  that  Miss  Judith  and 
Detective  Ferguson  have  been  holding  a  long  " — 
Anna  hesitated — "conference." 

"Conference!"  Mrs.  Hale's  tone  expressed 
astonishment.  "  Oh ! "  and  she  stared  at  the 
waiting  servant.  "  That  is  all,  Anna,"  and  the 
waitress  made  her  escape. 

Mrs.  Hale  crossed  the  drawing-room  and  stood 
before  the  large  gilt-framed  wall  mirror  which 
gave  her  a  full  length  view  of  her  figure.  It  took 
several  minutes  to  rearrange  a  bow  of  ribbon  and 
several  pieces  of  jewelry,  after  which  Mrs.  Hale 
proceeded  leisurely  to  the  third  floor.  She  did 
not  often  climb  to  that  height,  and,  on  reaching 
211 


The  Unseen  Ear 


the  head  of  the  stairs,  she  paused  to  take  breath, 
then,  passing  down  the  broad  hall,  she  turned  the 
knob  of  a  closed  door  and  entered  a  semidarkened 
room. 

It  took  her  several  seconds  to  pull  up  the 
Holland  shades  of  the  dormer  windows  and  flood 
the  bedroom  with  sunlight.  When  she  turned 
around  she  saw  a  man  sitting  on  the  edge  of  the 
bed  watching  her.  A  slight  scream  broke  from 
her  and  she  swayed  dizzily.  With  a  bound  the 
man  gained  her  side. 

"  Don't  be  frightened,  Mrs.  Hale.  It  is  only 
I,  Detective  Ferguson,"  he  explained.  "  I 
thought  you  saw  me  when  you  first  entered  the 
room." 

Mrs.  Hale  shook  her  head  as  she  sank  into  the 
chair  he  placed  for  her. 

"  Dear  me,"  she  exclaimed,  "  I  declare  you  gave 
me  quite  a  turn.  I  had  no  idea  I  should  find  any 
one  in  Austin's  bedroom."  Resentment  against 
its  cause  conquered  her  fright  in  some  measure 
and  she  whirled  on  him.  "  What  are  you  doing 
here?" 

"  I  might  ask  the  question  of  you,"  he  retorted 
coolly  seating  himself  opposite  her. 

"Upon  my  word!"     Mrs.  Hale  continued  to 
stare  at  him.     Then,  as  he  evinced  no  desire  to 
212 


The  Push  Button 


address  her,  her  manner  changed.  "  I  heard  you 
were  in  the  house,"  she  began,  ignoring  his  ques- 
tion as  he  had  hers ;  "  and  I  intended  to  ask  you 
not  to  leave  until  I  had  seen  you." 

"Indeed?" 

"  Yes."  Mrs.  Hale's  manner  was  graciousness 
itself.  "  And  I  am  glad  to  have  this  opportunity 
for  a  private  interview." 

"  Yes  ?  "  Ferguson  resorted  to  brevity  while 
striving  to  divine  a  reason  for  her  sudden  change 
of  manner. 

"  I  have  wanted  so  much  to  question  you,"  she 
announced.  "  Have  you  made  any  progress  in 
solving  the  mystery  of  Austin's  death?  " 

"  It  depends  on  what  you  term  '  progress/  "  he 
responded  dryly. 

"  Have  you  discovered  any  clew  to  his  —  his 
murderer  ? "  she  hesitated  over  the  last  word. 
"  Now,  don't  put  me  off  with  stupid  evasions," 
she  added.  "  How  do  you  know,  if  we  talk  over 
details  together,"  with  marked  emphasis,  "  that  I 
may  not  be  able  to  detect  some  point  of  vital  im- 
portance which  you  may  have  overlooked  ?  " 

Ferguson  gazed  at  her  reflectively.     There  was 

something  in  what  she  said.     Was  she  really  the 

fool  he  had  taken  her  for  all  along?     If  she  was, 

and  she  held  some  knowledge  which  would  aid 

213 


The  Unseen  Ear 


him  in  elucidating  the  Hale  mystery,  it  would  be 
to  his  advantage  to  win  her  confidence  —  if 
necessary,  with  a  show  of  confidence  on  his  part. 

"  That  is  not  a  bad  idea,"  he  acknowledged. 
"  I've  handled  many  puzzling  cases,  but  this  one," 
—  he  paused  — "  this  one  has  taken  the  lead  " ; 
then,  as  she  started  to  interrupt  him,  he  added, 
"  Here  are  the  facts  so  far  known," —  he  smiled 
— "  publicly.  Young  Austin  Hale  —  by  the  way, 
what  was  his  exact  relationship  to  you?  " 

"  A  nephew  by  adoption,  at  which  time  Austin 
assumed  the  name  of  Hale,"  was  her  concise 
reply,  so  unlike  her  usual  flowery  style  of  con- 
versation that  it  drew  a  smile  from  the  detective. 
"  His  proper  name  was  Payne  —  Austin  Payne." 

"  I  see."  Ferguson  was  watching  her  as  a  cat 
watches  a  mouse.  He  had  maneuvered  his  chair 
so  that  his  back  was  to  the  light  while  she  faced 
the  sun's  merciless  rays.  "  Austin  returns  to  this 
house  unexpectedly  on  Tuesday  night,  is  found 
by  your  son-in-law,  Major  Richards,  stabbed  to 
death,  and  not  a  soul  in  your  house  knows  any- 
thing about  the  tragedy."  Ferguson's  gesture 
was  expressive.  "  No  weapon  to  be  found  but  a 
pair  of  shears,  no  motive  for  the  crime  but  the 
theft  of  a  more  or  less  valuable  antique  watch  — 
a  watch  whose  very  ownership  would  lead  to  an 
214 


The  Push  Button 


arrest  on  suspicion.  There  was  no  trace  of  a 
burglar's  having  broken  into  the  house.  There- 
fore the  crime  must  have  been  committed  by  an 
inmate  of  your  house,  Mrs.  Hale." 

"  No,  no !  "  she  protested  vehemently,  and  he 
detected  the  whitening  of  her  cheeks  under  the 
delicately  applied  rouge. 

"  And  every  member  of  your  household  has 
an  excellent  alibi,"  he  went  on,  not  heeding  her 
interruption.  "  There  must  be  a  flaw  some- 
where ;  there  has  to  be  one."  And  he  lent  empha- 
sis to  his  words  by  striking  his  clenched  fist  in 
the  palm  of  his  left  hand.  "  Now,  where  is  the 
flaw?" 

Mrs.  Hale  looked  away  from  him,  then  back 
again.  "  I  wish  I  knew,"  she  wailed,  and  two 
large  tears  rolled  down  her  cheeks.  "  I've  racked 
my  brain  trying  to  find  a  solution  to  the  mystery, 
and  at  last  I  came  up  here  — " 

"For  what?" 

"To  see  if  Austin  dropped  any  paper  —  any 
note  paper,  so  big  " —  and  she  demonstrated  an 
approximate  size  while  Ferguson  listened  eagerly. 
"  Austin  must  have  had  some  reason  for  return- 
ing so  unexpectedly." 

"  Of  course  he  did,"  agreed  Ferguson.  "  And 
you  think  there  may  be  a  clew  tucked  away  in  this 
215 


The  Unseen  Ear 


bedroom.  Well,  we  think  alike  in  that.  It  is 
the  same  line  of  reasoning  which  brought  me  up 
here."  Mrs.  Hale  winked  away  her  tears  and 
brightened  visibly;  she  was  easily  influenced  by 
flattery  and  Ferguson's  tone  of  comradeship 
tinged  with  admiration  completely  won  her. 
"  This  room  has  been  thoroughly  searched." 

"  But  something  may  have  been  overlooked," 
she  interrupted  eagerly. 

"  Exactly  —  suppose  we  look,"  and,  rising, 
Ferguson  aided  her  in  her  rapid  investigation  of 
the  bureau  drawers.  They  were  rewarded  by 
finding  only  a  few  articles  of  wearing  apparel. 
Her  ardor  somewhat  dampened,  Mrs.  Hale  ac- 
companied the  detective  to  the  closet  and  stepped 
inside  its  commodious  depths. 

"  This  is  evidently  the  overcoat  and  hat  Austin 
was  wearing  on  Tuesday  night,"  Ferguson 
pointed  out,  holding  them  up  for  her  inspection. 
"And  here  is  the  coat  of  his  suit,"  removing  it 
from  the  hook  as  he  spoke. 

Mrs.  Hale  shrank  back,  then  shaking  off  her 
slight  feeling  of  repugnance  she  deliberately 
searched  every  pocket  —  to  find  a  silk  handker- 
chief and  a  gold  card  case  in  which  were  Austin's 
visiting  cards. 

"  Austin  must  have  come  direct  to  his  bedroom 
216 


The  Push  Button 


on  reaching  here  Tuesday  night,"  Ferguson  re- 
marked as  he  replaced  the  coat.  "  Why  he  went 
downstairs  in  his  vest  and  shirt  sleeves,  I  cannot 
imagine." 

"  Perhaps  he  was  in  the  midst  of  dressing  and 
was  called  downstairs,"  suggested  Mrs.  Hale  and 
her  voice  indicated  pleased  surprise  at  her  own 
astuteness. 

"Who  called  him?" 

"  I  haven't  the  faintest  idea  " —  she  did  not 
lower  her  eyes  before  Ferguson's  penetrating  gaze. 

"If  it  had  been  a  woman,"  mused  Ferguson, 
"  he  surely  would  have  stopped  to  put  on  his 
coat." 

"  Not  if  he  was  urgently  needed  downstairs." 

"  But  who  could  have  '  urgently  needed  him  '  ?  " 
questioned  Ferguson  swiftly.  ;'  Your  daugh- 
ter—" 

"  Was  unaware  of  his  presence  in  the  house," 
haughtily.  "  She  stood  in  no  need  of  Austin's 
assistance  —  put  that  idea  out  of  your  head  in- 
stantly." 

"  You  misunderstood  me,"  he  protested.  "  I 
was  only  going  to  say  that  your  daughter  was  the 
only  woman  on  the  next  floor." 

"  So  we  suppose." 

Ferguson  caught  her  up.  "  Do  you  suspect  an- 
217 


The  Unseen  Ear 


other  woman  was  here?  "  he  demanded.     "  If  so 
who  was  it  —  one  of  your  servants?  " 

"  No,  they  were  asleep  in  their  rooms."  Mrs. 
Hale  resumed  her  seat.  She  was  commencing  to 
feel  fatigued.  "  You  have  assured  yourself  of 
that." 

"  Yes,"  acknowledged  Ferguson.  "  We  can 
eliminate  them.  I  am,  however,  considering  all 
the  women  who  might  have  been  here.  You  — " 

"  I  ?  "  Although  Mrs.  Hale  laughed  heartily  in 
amusement,  there  was  a  false  note  in  her  some- 
what high-pitched  voice.  "  You  surely  do  not 
suspect  me?  Why,  my  dear  man,  I  was  at  the 
French  Embassy  reception;  there  are  plenty  of 
friends  to  testify  to  that  besides  my  brother-in- 
law,  John  Hale,  who  took  me  to  the  reception  and 
brought  me  home.  You  were  here  when  we  both 
arrived." 

Ferguson  laughed  with  her.  "  I  was  just  run- 
ning over  the  people  who  belong  in  this  house," 
he  explained.  "  Your  husband  was  ill  — " 

"  And  in  bed,"  she  interpolated. 

"  The  servants  in  their  quarters ;  Mrs.  Rich- 
ards in  her  room  —  at  least  " —  with  a  sharp  look 
at  her.  "  She  was  in  her  room,  was  she  not?  " 

"  Certainly.  She  has  a  suite  of  rooms  on  the 
floor  below." 

218 


The  Push  Button 


"  I  was  just  in  there."  Ferguson  paused,  then 
went  back  to  what  he  had  been  saying.  "  Major 
Richards  was  at  the  Metropolitan  Club  on  Tues- 
day night." 

"  So  he  told  us."  Mrs.  Hale  raised  her  hands 
and  dropped  them  with  a  hopeless  gesture. 
"Every  person  is  accounted  for  —  we  are  just 
where  we  started." 

"  Not  quite."  Ferguson  hesitated  and  glanced 
about  the  room.  Mrs.  Hale,  upon  entering,  had 
closed  the  door  behind  her,  and  there  seemed  no 
likelihood  of  their  conversation's  being  overheard. 
"  I  found  on  further  inquiry  at  the  Metropolitan 
Club  that  Major  Richards  was  last  seen  there 
about  midnight.  The  doorman  on  duty  Tuesday 
night  declares  he  did  not  see  him  leave  the  club, 
and  does  not  know  the  hour  of  his  departure  for 
home.'' 

"Well,  what  of  that?"  questioned  Mrs.  Hale, 
as  he  stopped. 

"  This :  according  to  Major  Richards,  he 
reached  this  house  about  twenty  minutes  past  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning  and  he  was  last  seen  in 
the  club  a  little  before  midnight.  It  leaves  an 
hour  of  his  time  unaccounted  for,  and  it  was  dur- 
ing that  hour  that  Austin  Hale  was  murdered." 

Mrs.  Hale  sat  speechless  for  a  minute.  "  Pre- 
219 


The  Unseen  Ear 


posterous!  "  she  exclaimed  hotly,  recovering  from 
her  surprise.  "  Why  should  Major  Richards  kill 
a  man  he  does  not  know?  " 

Ferguson  glanced  uneasily  at  her  and  came  to  a 
quick  decision. 

"  Suppose  Major  Richards  came  home  and 
found  Austin  talking  to  his  wife  and  became 
jealous  — " 

Mrs.  Hale  bounced  out  of  her  chair.  "  How 
dare  you  insinuate  that  Judith  was  having  an  af- 
fair with  Austin  ?  "  she  demanded.  "  You  are 
most  insulting  —  I  shall  inform  Major  Rich- 
ards — " 

*"  My  dear  madam,  pray,  calm  yourself," 
Ferguson  begged,  appalled  by  the  storm  he  had 
provoked.  "  I  thought  we  agreed  to  talk  over  all 
aspects  of  the  Hale  murder  —  it  was  your  own 
suggestion." 

"  Certainly  it  was,  but  I  did  not  expect  — " 
Mrs.  Hale  sniffed.  "If  you  ask  Major  Richards 
to  account  for  all  his  time  Tuesday  night  he  will 
do  so,  I  am  convinced.  A  man  of  his  tempera- 
ment and  record  — " 

"  Where  is  his  record  ?  "  broke  in  Ferguson. 
"  What  is  his  record  ?  I  cannot  learn  anything 
about  him." 

"  His  record  is  on  file  in  the  War  Department." 
220 


The  Push  Button 


"  His  army  record,  yes."  Ferguson  pulled  out 
his  watch  and  jumped  to  his  feet.  "  Pardon  me, 
Mrs.  Hale,  but  I  have  a  consultation  at  my  office 
and  must  leave  at  once." 

"  Tell  me  before  you  go," —  Mrs.  Hale  de- 
tained him  with  a  gesture  — "  did  you  find  any- 
where among  Austin's  belongings  either  here  or 
in  New  York  a  railroad  ticket?  " 

"A  ticket?  No."  Ferguson  eyed  her  sharply. 
"Why?" 

"  I  was  wondering  if  he  had  just  stopped  over 
a  train  on  his  way  south/'  she  explained  glibly. 
"  It  was  just  an  idea  —  don't  let  me  detain  you 
longer." 

Ferguson  halted  in  indecision ;  however,  his  en- 
gagement brooked  no  further  delay  if  he  was  to 
be  on  time  for  it.  He  could  question  Mrs.  Hale 
later  in  the  day. 

"  I  will  return,"  he  said.  "  But  if  you  desire 
me  at  any  time,  please  telephone,  Mrs.  Hale. 

Good-morning." 

/ 

Left  to  her  own  resources,  Mrs.  Hale  diligently 
searched  the  room.  She  had  about  decided  to 
stop,  disgusted  with  her  lack  of  results  when  on 
feeling  about  in  the  depths  of  the  top  drawer  of 
Austin's  bureau  she  touched  a  small  book,  and 
pulled  it  out.  On  its  leather  cover  she  saw 
221 


The  Unseen  Ear 


stamped  in  gold  the  insignia  of  a  Senior  secret 
society  at  Yale. 

Mrs.  Hale  turned  over  several  of  the  leaves  and 
glanced  down  the  pages,  hesitated  a  moment  then, 
placing  the  book  in  her  convenient  knitting  bag, 
she  proceeded  to  the  dining  room  to  make  certain 
that  Maud  had  properly  set  the  luncheon  table. 
She  was  particular  about  small  household  details. 
As  she  passed  the  door  of  Judith's  boudoir  she 
failed  to  see  Richards  standing  somewhat  in  its 
shadow  regarding  her.  Richards  was  still  gazing 
after  her  retreating  figure  when  Judith,  who  was 
in  their  bedroom  dressing  for  luncheon,  called  to 
him. 

"  Please  ring  for  Maud,"  she  asked  as  he  ap- 
peared, and  obediently  he  returned  to  the  boudoir 
and  reached  for  the  push  button.  The  act  was 
mechanical,  and  it  was  not  until  he  had  made  three 
attempts  to  ring  the  bell  that  he  realized  that  the 
small  object  he  was  fingering  was  not  the  push 
button. 

Richards  stepped  back  and  surveyed  the  bou 
doir  walls.  The  bell  he  sought  was  on  the  other 
side  of  the  door  leading  into  their  bedroom.  Af- 
ter pressing  the  button  he  walked  back  and  exam- 
ined the  little  object  on  the  opposite  wall.  To  all 
intents  and  purposes  it  resembled  an  electric  push 
222 


The  Push  Button 


button,  hanging  just  below  an  enlarged  photo- 
graph of  Mrs.  Hale. 

.Richards'  strong  sensitive  fingers  felt  behind 
the  framed  photograph  until  they  encountered  a 
tiny  wire.  It  wound  in  and  out  along  the  picture 
wire  until  it  encountered  the  wires  of  the  branch 
telephone.  He  stood  in  deep  thought  for  some 
minutes,  then  walked  into  the  bedroom. 

"Can  I  be  of  service,  dear?"  he  asked  his 
wife.  "  Maud  hasn't  answered  the  bell." 

Judith,  wrestling  with  a  refractory  hook,  shook 
her  head.  "  Thanks,  but  Maud's  clever  fingers 
are  needed  to  disentangle  this  mess,"  she  said. 
"  Do  you  mind  running  downstairs  and  telling 
her  to  come  to  me?  The  bell  must  be  out  of 
order." 

"  I'll  have  her  here  in  a  jiffy,"  Richards  an- 
swered, but,  once  in  the  hall,  his  footsteps  lagged. 

No  one  was  in  sight,  and  getting  down  on  his 
knees  he  felt  along  the  telephone  wire  which  ran 
on  top  of  the  wall  board.  The  same  fine  wire  was 
fastened  in  place  alongside  it.  Step  by  step 
Richards  traced  the  two  wires  running  side  by  side 
until  they  crossed  the  door-jamb  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Robert  Hale's  bedroom.  They  were  old-fash- 
ioned in  their  ideas  and  occupied  the  same  room. 

Richards  tapped,  first  gently,  then  more  loudly, 
223 


The  Unseen  Ear 


on  the  partly  opened  door  and  getting  no  response, 
he  walked  inside.  It  was  a  large  room  filled  with 
handsome  mahogany  furniture,  the  carved  four- 
post  bedstead  taking  up  the  greater  space.  But 
Richards  had  eyes  for  but  one  object  standing  on 
a  table  in  an  obscure  corner  of  the  room,  with  a 
soft  typewriter  cover  partly  concealing  the  re- 
ceivers and  earpieces  from  view.  Walking  over 
to  it,  Richards  lifted  the  cover  and  examined  the 
instrument.  When  he  laid  the  cover  down  his 
expression  indicated  incredulity  and  a  dawning 
horror. 

With  what  object  had  Robert  Hale  or  his  wife, 
or  both,  placed  a  dictagraph  in  Judith's  boudoir? 


CHAPTER  XVI 
LINKS  IN  THE  CHAIN 

ANNA,  the  waitress,  answered  Robert 
Hale's  persistent  ring  of  the  front  bell 
with  all  the  speed  her  strained  ankle 
would  permit.  At  sight  of  her,  Hale  restrained 
an  outburst  of  temper  and  with  a  mumbled, 
"  Thanks,"  stamped  past  her  into  the  central  hall 
of  his  home. 

"Is  my  brother  in  the  house,  Anna?"  he  in- 
quired, tossing  down  his  overcoat  and  hat  on  the 
first  chair  he  came  to. 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  believe  so."  Anna  closed  the  front 
door  as  an  icy  current  of  air  blew  her  becoming 
cap  at  right  angles.  "  His  hat  and  cane  are  here 
on  the  coat  stand,  and  I  heard  him  ask  Mr.  Lati- 
mer  to  go  to  his  room  with  him  as  they  left  the 
dining  room  after  luncheon." 

Hale  paused  on  his  way  to  the  library.  "  Who 
lunched  here?  " 

"  Mrs.  Hale,  Miss  Judith,  Major  Richards,  Mr. 
Latimer,  and  Mr.  John,  sir,"  Anna  explained  in 
detail.  "  Mrs.  Hale  complained  of  a  headache 
225 


The   Unseen  Ear 


and  the  Major  volunteered  to  take  her  for  a  run 
in  Miss  Judith's  electric." 

"  Did  Miss  Judith  accompany  them  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

Hale  looked  at  the  pretty  waitress.  It  was  the 
first  time  that  he  had  seen  her  since  her  injury  to 
her  ankle.  Contrary  to  expectations,  he  had  not 
returned  for  luncheon  but  had  remained  at  the 
club. 

"How  are  you  feeling,  Anna?"  he  asked 
kindly.  "  Not  overdoing  it  by  being  about  too 
soon,  are  you  ?  " 

"  No,  sir."  Anna  flushed  with  pleasure.  Hale 
seldom  addressed  her,  much  less  took  an  interest 
in  her  welfare,  and  she  had  some  ado  to  conceal 
her  surprise.  "  I'm  feeling  fine,  sir.  Is  there 
anything  I  can  do  for  you,  sir,  before  I  go  up- 
stairs?" 

"You  are  going  upstairs?"  Hale  halted. 
"  Then  please  stop  at  Mr.  John's  room  and 
tell  him  that  I  would  like  to  see  him  alone  in  the 
den." 

"  Very  good,  sir,"  and  Anna  sought  the  back 
stairs  and  limped  her  way  to  the  third  floor. 

John  Hale's  bedroom  was  almost  directly  op- 
posite that  occupied  by  his  stepson  Austin.     As 
Anna  came  down  the  hall  she  was  greeted  by 
226 


Links  in  the  Chain 


tobacco  smoke  which  drifted  through  the  open 
transom  over  John  Hale's  door.  In  response  to 
her  knock  he  came  into  the  hall. 

"If  you  please,  Mr.  John,  your  brother  wishes 
to  see  you  alone  in  the  den,"  she  said. 

"Now?" 

"Yes,  sir,  I  suppose  so.  Mr.  Hale  just  said 
that  he  would  like  to  see  you,"  and  having  de- 
livered her  message,  Anna  executed  her  bob  of  a 
courtesy  and  went  her  way. 

John  Hale  walked  back  into  his  bedroom  with 
a  scowling  face,  and  over  to  the  divan  where 
Frank  Latimer  lounged,  smoking  his  inevitable 
cigarette. 

"  Robert's  sent  for  me,"  he  stated.  "  What  do 
you  suppose  he  is  up  to  ?  " 

Latimer  dropped  his  cigarette  in  the  smoking 
stand  and  stood  up. 

"  Mrs.  Davis  told  me,  you  recollect,  that  Polly 
had  resigned  her  position  as  his  secretary,"  he 
reminded  him.  "  Probably  your  brother  has  just 
received  a  note  from  her." 

"  By  Jove !  "  John  Hale's  scowl  vanished. 
"  The  note  may  give  Polly's  address.  Come  on, 
Frank,"  and  he  made  for  the  door,  followed  in  a 
more  leisurely  fashion  by  his  companion. 

"  Didn't  your  brother  send  word  that  he  wished 
227 


The  Unseen  Ear 


to  see  you  alone  ?  "  he  asked.     "  I  thought  I  heard 
Anna  tell  you  so." 

"  She  did,  that's  true  " —  John  Hale  paused  at 
the  head  of  the  staircase.  "  Wait  for  me,  will 
you?  I  won't  be  long.  And  then,  if  there  is  no 
address  on  Polly's  note,  we'll  motor  to  Markham 
and  see  for  ourselves  if  Polly  is  there  or  not." 

"  But,  look  here  — " 

"  No  '  buts,' '  John  Hale  slapped  him  on  the 
back.  The  prospect  of  action  had  brought  back 
his  spirits.  "  You've  got  to  see  me  through  this, 
Frank,  for  the  sake  of  '  auld  lang  syne.'  You've 
kept  me  out  of  trouble  before,  remember  that  " — 
and  he  gripped  Latimer's  hand  and  wrung  it. 

"  It  looks  as  if  I  had  contracted  for  a  big  job,'* 
groaned  Latimer,  expanding  his  fingers  which 
tingled  from  John  Hale's  pressure.  "  I'll  gladly 
turn  you  over  to  Polly  with  my  blessings.  I'll 
wait  for  you  in  the  library,  but  don't  be  long." 

"  All  right,"  and  the  two  friends  parted  on  the 
second  floor. 

John  Hale  did  not  go  at  once  to  his  brother's 
den.  Instead,  he  watched  Latimer  disappear 
down  the  circular  staircase,  then  very  slowly 
crossed  the  hall  and  looked  inside  Judith's  bou- 
doir. It  was  empty.  With  indecision  written 
plainly  on  his  face,  he  turned  about  and  sought 
228 


Links  in  the  Chain 


the  den.  Robert  Hale  looked  up  from  his  desk, 
where  he  was  writing  with  feverish  speed,  as  his 
brother  entered. 

"  Close  the  door,  John,"  he  directed,  and  waited 
in  silence  until  his  brother  had  crossed  the  room 
and  stood  by  the  fireplace,  in  which  a  gas  log 
burned.  "  Sit  down." 

John  Hale  regarded  his  brother  with  no 
friendly  eyes.  He  had  always  resented  what  he 
termed  "  Robert's  elder  brother  act,"  and  his  dic- 
tatorial manner  generally  grated,  besides  which 
their  natures  were  too  diametrically  opposed  ever 
to  agree  on  any  subject.  John's  height  and  com- 
manding figure  had  always  been  a  source  of  envy 
to  his  delicate  brother,  while  the  latter's  scientific 
achievements  and  financial  prosperity  had  served 
to  widen  the  breach  between  them. 

"  I  can  stay  only  a  minute,"  John  announced, 
lounging  against  the  mantel.  "  What  do  you 
wish  to  see  me  about?  " 

Hale's  thin  lips  tightened  into  a  straight  line. 
"  Sit  down  first," —  his  manner  was  a  bit  more 
courteous  — "  and  I  will  explain.  No,  take  that 
chair  where  you  can  face  me,"  and  John,  against 
his  wishes,  dropped  into  a  seat  facing  not  only  his 
brother  but  the  full  glare  of  light  from  the  win- 
dow. 

229 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"Well,  what  is  it?"  he  asked,  as  his  brother 
volunteered  no  remark. 

"  Can  you  tell  me  the  present  whereabouts  of 
my  secretary,  Polly  Davis?"  asked  Hale. 

"Why  do  you  ask?" 

"  Because  she  has  sent  me  her  resignation,  and 
I  desire  to  find  out  where  she  has  gone  and  why 
she  has  skipped." 

"  Skipped  ? "  There  was  instant  anger  in 
John's  loud  tone.  "  What  d'ye  mean, 
'skipped'?" 

"  Run  away,  if  you  like  it  better."  It  was  im- 
possible to  mistake  Hale's  sneering  manner. 
With  a  curse,  John  started  from  his  chair. 

"You—"  he  began. 

"  Quiet,  John,"  cautioned  Hale  suavely. 
"  Hear  what  I  have  to  say  before  you  lose  your 
temper." 

John  dropped  back  in  his  chair.  "  Go  on,"  he 
shouted,  "  but  don't  try  me  too  far;  keep  a  civil 
tongue  when  you  speak  of  Polly  —  she  is 
pure  and  sweet  and  I'll  not  have  her  character 
defiled." 

"  And  she  met  Austin  here  on  Tuesday  night," 

Hale  commented   dryly.     "  You  know   Austin's 

reputation  —  sit  down !  "  as  John  again  started  to 

his  feet.     "  Either  hear  me  to  the  end  or  leave 

230 


Links  in  the  Chain 


now,"  and  Hale  threw  himself  back  in  his  seat. 
"  I  will  not  be  interrupted  every  second." 

With  difficulty  the  younger  brother  mastered 
his  rage.  At  all  cost  he  felt  that  he  must  get 
information  about  Polly,  and  he  could  do  so  only 
by  maintaining  self-control.  He  knew  his 
brother  too  well  to  doubt  that  if  Hale  awoke 
to  the  fact  that  John  desired  such  information  he 
would  withhold  it  from  sheer  deviltry. 

"  I  am  listening,"  he  said  sullenly.  "  Only  re- 
member, my  time  is  valuable." 

Hale  smiled  with  his  lips  only.  "  Let  us  face 
the  situation,"  he  remarked.  "  Polly  met  Austin 
here  on  Tuesday  night  — " 

"  How  do  you  know  she  did?  "  John  demanded 
hotly. 

"  I  saw  her,"  calmly. 

"  You  — "  John  stared  at  him.  "  You  were 
ill  in  bed." 

"  I  was  ill  —  but  not  in  bed,"  corrected  Hale. 
"  Anna  had  forgotten  to  put  a  glass  of  ice  water 
on  my  bed  table  and,  becoming  thirsty,  I  got  up, 
walked  down  the  hall  and  helped  myself  from 
the  pitcher  and  glasses  which  always  stand  there 
at  night."  He  paused.  "  I  started  to  return 
when  I  thought  I  heard  a  woman  crying  and  I 
took  several  steps  down  the  circular  staircase  — " 
231 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Well  ? "  prompted  John,  as  his  brother 
stopped  to  take  breath.  "  Continue." 

"  You  are  interested  ?  "  A  mocking  gleam 
shone  for  an  instant  in  Hale's  deep-set  eyes.  "  I 
glanced  over  the  bannister  into  the  central  hall  and 
saw  Polly  Davis  come  out  of  the  library." 

The  silence  in  the  den  grew  oppressive.  Sud- 
denly John  Hale  raised  both  hands  and  tugged  at 
his  collar  as  if  for  airv  Then,  just  as  suddenly, 
his  hands  fell  to  his  sides. 

"What  followed?"  he  asked,  and  Hale  won- 
dered at  the  moderation  of  his  tone.  He  had  ex- 
pected a  tongue-lashing  at  the  least,  if  not  a 
physical  encounter  —  his  taut  muscles  relaxed  and 
he  assumed  an  easier  position. 

"  Polly  stood  clinging  to  the  portieres  for  an 
instant,  then  before  I  could  call  to  her,  she  ran  to 
the  front  door  and  dashed  outside,"  Hale  con- 
tinued. 

"  Did  you  go  downstairs  ?  "  questioned  John. 

"  No,  I  did  not  feel  equal  to  the  exertion,"  Hale 
explained.  "  I  returned  to  bed." 

"  What  ?  Without  going  to  see  what  Polly  was 
doing  here  and  why  she  should  be  crying  ?  "  asked 
John  incredulously. 

Hale  smiled  cynically.     "  I  have  been  brought 
up  on  woman's  tears,"  he  remarked.     "  Agatha 
232 


Links  in  the  Chain 


has  let  loose  the  floodgates  so  often  that  I  am 
schooled  to  indifference.  I  supposed  Polly  had 
been  with  Judith  in  the  library,  and  it  was  not 
until  I  was  told  of  Austin's  death  that  I  ascribed 
another  reason  for  her  presence  here  after  mid- 
night." 

John  looked  at  him  with  bloodshot  eyes. 
"  Don't  try  me  too  far,"  he  warned.  "  It 
wouldn't  take  much  to  kill  you,"  and  he  extended 
his  powerful  hands,  fingers  distended  as  if  to  grip 
their  prey. 

His  brother  watched  him  unmoved. 

"  It  is  easy  to  kill  a  man  —  witness  Austin's 
murder,"  he  commented.  "  But  it  is  unpleasant 
to  swing  for  the  crime.  I  am  glad  Polly  has 
bolted." 

"  You  jump  to  conclusions,"  retorted  John. 
"  Because  TOM  saw  Polly  coming  out  of  the  library 
it  does  not  prove  that  she  killed  Austin,  nor  does 
it  prove  that  she  knew  he  was  here,  nor  that  she 
talked  with  him," 

"  That  is  true,"  agreed  Hale ;  "  but  in  addition 
to  seeing  her  leave  the  library  I  know  that  she 
had  borrowed  Agatha's  latchkey.  I  know  she 
expected  to  see  Austin — " 

"  Prove  it,"  John  shouted.     "  I  demand  proof." 

Hale  unlocked  his  desk  drawer,  took  out  a 
233 


The  Unseen  Ear 


crumpled  sheet  of  typewriting,  and,  still  retaining 
a  firm  hold  on  the  sheet,  extended  it  so  that  his 
brother  could  read  the  words.  "  This  is  a  page 
copied  from  my  manuscript,"  he  explained. 
"  Polly  spoiled  the  sheet  by  reversing  the  carbon," 

—  he  turned  it  over  and  showed  the  impression  on 
the  other  side — "  but  before  she  did  so  she  indi- 
cated where  her  thoughts  were  straying  by  this  " 

—  and  his  finger  pointed  to  the  typed  lines,  re- 
peated several  times  at  the  bottom  of  the  sheet: 

"  Saw  Austin  io-t-b-53-76c." 

"  What  gibberish  is  that  ?  "  asked  John  scorn- 
fully. 

"  Not  gibberish,"  calmly,  "  but  the  combina- 
tion of  my  safe." 

The  striking  of  the  clock  as  the  hands  registered 
three  sounded  like  a  knell  in  John  Hale's  ears. 
His  brother  was  the  first  to  speak. 

"  These  links  in  the  chain  of  evidence  consid- 
ered separately  are  weak,"  he  admitted  candidly, 
"  but  taken  together,  they  are  strong. 'K 

"  I  don't  believe  it,"  protested  John.  "  It  is 
all  circumstantial  evidence — " 

"  To  which  Polly  has  lent  substance  by  her  dis- 
appearance,"  retorted  Hale:     "Had  she  stayed 
here   and   continued  as   my   secretary,   attention 
would  not  have  been  attracted  to  her." 
234 


Links  in  the  Chain 


John  did  not  reply  at  once  and  Hale,  watching 
him,  noted  his  changed  expression  with  bated 
interest. 

"  To  sum  up," —  Male's  voice  cut  the  silence 
and  scraped  afresh  John's  raw  nerves  — "  Polly 
was  engaged  to  Austin  —  can  you  deny  it  ? " 
Receiving  no  reply,  he  went  on,  "  Polly  knew  he 
would  be  here  Tuesday  night,  witness  her  pres- 
ence in  the  house  at  midnight;  she  supplied  him 
with  the  combination  of  my  safe;  she  was  seen 
leaving  the  library  at  the  very  time  he  must  have 
been  murdered,  and  his  body  was  found  lying  near 
the  open  safe — " 

"  Hold  on,  she  may  have  been  here  and  all 
that,"  John  broke  in  with  rough  vehemence,  "  but 
some  one  else  may  have  killed  Austin  even  in  her 
presence  — " 

"Then  why  has  she  not  told  the  police?" 
John  remained  silent,  and  his  brother  continued 
speaking.  "  I  hoped  Polly  would  brave  it  out 
here,  and  to  reduce  her  anxieties  —  for  I  know 
how  pushed  she  is  for  money  —  I  increased  her 
salary  and  held  my  tongue." 

John  stared  at  him  long  and  intently  before 
again  addressing  him. 

"  Why  have  you  kept  silent  and  not  informed 
the  police  of  your  suspicions?"  he  asked,  curi- 
235 


The  Unseen  Ear 


ously.     "  Charity    is    not   usually  one    of    your 
virtues." 

"  Austin  deserved  what  he  got,"  Hale  answered 
slowly.  "  And  —  I  was  always  fond  of  a  sport- 
ing chance.  Therefore,  John,  find  Polly  and  I 
will  aid  you  to  finance  a  trip  to  a  country  where 
extradition  is  not  enforced." 

John's  face  flamed  scarlet.  Slowly  his  color 
ebbed  and  his  hands  unclenched,  and  when  he 
spoke  his  voice  was  low  and  measured. 

"  Where  am  I  to  find  Polly?  " 

Hale  took  a  letter  from  his  desk.  "  Polly 
writes  that  she  is  called  out  of  town  and,  not 
knowing  the  date  of  her  return,  fears  that  she 
will  be  unable  to  continue  as  my  secretary,  and 
with  every  good  wish,  begs  to  remain  faithfully 
mine."  Hale  shrugged  his  shoulders  by  way  of 
comment,  and  added :  "  The  letter  is  dated  this 
morning,  has  no  street  address  on  it,  and  was 
sent  to  my  club.  See  for  yourself,"  and  he  tossed 
the  letter  to  him. 

John  read  the  familiar  writing  several  times, 
then  folding  the  sheet,  tucked  it  in  his  pocket  and 
rose. 

"  Is  there  anything  else  you  wish  to  see  me 
about?  "  he  asked. 

"  No."     Hale  turned   carelessly  back   to   his 
236 


Links  in  the  Chain 


desk.     "  Take  a  fool's  advice  and  do  not  pro- 
crastinate in  your  search  for  Polly." 

John  walked  in  silence  to  the  door.  Once  there, 
he  looked  back  and  addressed  his  brother. 

"  Some  day  I'll  wring  your  damn  neck !  "  he 
exclaimed,  and  his  brother's  mocking  laughter  was 
still  ringing  in  his  ears  as  he  went  down  the  circu- 
lar staircase. 

The  sound  of  voices  at  the  front  door  aroused 
him  from  his  thoughts,  and,  looking  in  that  direc- 
tion, he  saw  Maud,  the  parlor  maid,  conversing 
with  a  District  messenger  boy.  She  was  in  the 
act  of  signing  a  receipt  when  an  oblong  package 
on  which  she  was  trying  to  write,  slipped  from 
her  awkward  fingers  and  struck  with  a  resound- 
ing thud  on  the  marble  floor  of  the  vestibule. 
There  was  a  tinkle  of  broken  glass  as  the  tissue 
paper  covering  burst.  The  messenger,  scenting 
trouble,  snatched  the  receipt  out  of  her  hand  and 
bolted  down  the  steps,  while  Maud,  with  a  loud 
exclamation,  stooped  and  picked  up  the  package. 

"Look  at  that,  now!"  she  gasped  in  tragic 
tones,  as  John  Hale  stopped  beside  her. 
"  What'll  I  do?  I>e  broken  the  crystal  of  Major 
Richards'  watch."  And  tearing  off  the  remains 
of  the  tissue  paper,  she  held  the  piece  of  jewelry 
before  him. 

237 


The  Unseen  Ear 


John  Hale  scarcely  heard  her  words,  his  atten- 
tion was  entirely  centered  on  the  open-faced 
watch.  Small  bits  of  crystal  still  clung  to  its 
face,  but  the  dial  had  not  been  injured  and  the 
hands  were  intact. 

"  Where  did  the  watch  come  from?  "  he  asked, 
and  at  the  eagerness  in  his  voice  Maud  looked  up. 

"  It's  Major  Richards' ! "  she  explained. 
"  Jennings,  the  watchmaker  on  Fourteenth  Street, 
sent  word  by  the  boy  that  he  couldn't  get  it  over 
last  night  as  promised,  so  he  sent  it  this  after- 
noon. What  will  the  Major  say  to  me?"  and 
Maud's  distress  found  vent  in  a  subdued  sniff 
presaging  a  burst  of  tears. 

"  Don't  worry,  Maud;  I'll  explain  to  Major 
Richards  that  the  accident  was  unavoidable.  Let 
me  have  the  watch,"  and  as  Maud  expressed  vol- 
uble thanks,  he  sped  into  the  library,  the  watch 
dangling  from  its  chain. 

"  Frank,"  he  cried.  "  Hurry,  man,  I've 
found  " —  he  checked  himself  at  sight  of  Judith 
sitting  on  the  lounge  talking  to  Latimer. 

Judith  turned  her  head  at  his  abrupt  entrance 
and  looked  at  him,  then  her  eyes  wandered  from 
his  excited  face  to  the  watch  which  he  held  at 
arm's  length  as  he  advanced  toward  them. 

"  See!  "  he  exclaimed,  and  rested  the  watch  on 
238 


Links  in  the  Chain 


the  tufted  side  of  the  lounge,  where  both  Judith 
and  Latimer  had  a  close  view  of  its  antique 
beauty.  Judith  bent  closer  and  when  she  straight- 
ened up  her  face  was  flushed. 

"  It  is  Austin's  watch!  "  she  declared.  "  I  can 
swear  to  it." 

"  You  need  not  swear  —  it  is  Austin's  watch," 
John  Hale's  tone  was  cold  and  cutting.  "  But 
yon  can  explain  how  the  watch  came  in  the  pos- 
session of  your  husband,  Major  Richards." 

Judith's  bright  color  faded.  "  It  is  in  your 
possession,  and  not  in  the  possession  of  my  hus- 
band," she  retorted.  "  Had  you  not  better  do 
the  explaining?  " 

"  Willingly  —  the  watch  has  been  in  my  hands 
just  about  four  minutes."  John  lifted  the  paper 
tag  attached  to  the  chain.  "  Listen,  Judith  — 
'  Major  J.  C.  Richards  —  repair  broken  link  in 
chain  and  return  immediately.'  Your  husband 
left  the  watch  and  chain  with  Jennings  and  he 
has  returned  it."  John  Hale  moderated  his  rapid 
speech  and  spoke  with  impressiveness.  "  Austin 
was  murdered  and  his  watch  stolen  —  that  watch 
has  turned  up  ticketed  with  your  husband's  name. 
Kindly  explain  it." 

Judith  was  conscious  of  the  intent  watchfulness 
of  her  uncle  and  Frank  Latimer  as  they  waited 
239 


The  Unseen  Ear 


for  her  reply,  and  with  all  her  will  power  she 
strove  to  steady  her  voice. 

"  My  husband  is  out  just  now,"  she  stated 
clearly.  "  When  he  returns  he  will  explain  every- 
thing to  our  satisfaction." 

"Will  he?"  John  Kale's  high  temper  had 
slipped  control.  "  I  see  it  all  now.  Your  father 
knows  your  husband  killed  Austin,  and  to  save 
family  scandal  has  plotted  evidence  against  Polly 
Davis,  even  buying  her  silence  and  providing 
funds  to  have  her  disappear." 

"Have  you  taken  leave  of  your  senses?"  de- 
manded Judith,  breaking  into  his  torrent  of 
words. 

"  No,  on  the  contrary,  every  faculty  is  on  the 
alert,"  retorted  John  Hale.  "  By  God,  to  think 
of  Robert's  trying  to  shield  Richards  by  making 
an  innocent  girl  appear  guilty.  It's  an  outrage 
and  I'll  expose  every  rotten  one  of  you  — " 

"  Steady,  John ! "  Latimer  stepped  in  front 
of  him.  "  Go  easy !  You  shan't  insult  Judith 
in  my  presence." 

"  Don't  you  interfere.  Judith  shall  learn  the 
truth  about  her  rascally  husband" — he  waved 
the  watch  in  front  of  the  white-faced  girl. 
"  Richards  took  this  watch  from  Austin  as  he 
took  your  Valve  bonds  from  your  father's  safe. 
240 


Links  in  the  Chain 


I've  got  the  goods  on  him,  and  he'll  swing  for 
Austin's  murder." 

"  He  will  not !  "  Judith's  voice  rose,  clear  and 
strong,  and  silenced  even  her  overwrought  uncle. 
Her  eyes  glowed  with  passionate  anger  as  she 
faced  him.  "  You  dare  to  threaten  me,  Uncle 
John?" 

"  I  dare  to  protect  Polly  Davis  from  under- 
hand, blackguardly  treatment,"  he  replied.  "  It 
is  a  frame-up." 

"  Is  it  ? "  Judith's  smile  was  dangerous. 
"  Go  back  to  Polly  and  take  her  that  watch.  Tell 
her  there  is  a  link  missing  in  the  chain  you  are 
trying  to  forge  and  I  have  it,  although  she  may 
have  the  Mizpah  locket.  Go,  both  of  you !  " 

John  Hale  started  as  if  stung.  Then,  without 
a  word  he  pocketed  the  watch  and,  seizing  Lati- 
mer's  arm,  dragged  him  out  of  the  room. 


CHAPTER  XVII 
THE  DANCING  SILHOUETTES 

ON  hearing  the  slam  of  the  front  door 
behind  her  uncle  and  Frank  Latimer, 
Judith  went  to  the  windowed  alcove  of 
the  library  overlooking  the  street  on  which  their 
house  faced  and,  concealed  from  the  view  of 
passers-by,  she  watched  John  Hale  and  his  com- 
panion enter  the  former's  touring  car  and  drive 
off.  Not  until  the  car  had  turned  the  corner  did 
she  relax  her  vigilant  attitude,  then,  turning,  she 
paced  up  and  down  the  floor.  She  could  not  keep 
still.  Her  nerves  were  aquiver,  her  brain  on  fire. 
How  had  Austin's  antique  watch  come  into  her 
husband's  possession?  Again  and  again  her  lips 
framed  the  same  question  —  with  but  the  one  an- 
swer. Richards  must  have  taken  it  from  Austin's 
dead  body.  But  why  —  why  ?  Austin  was 
wearing  the  watch  when  murdered ;  that  she  could 
swear  to.  Had  she  not  taken  the  Mizpah  locket 
from  its  chain  in  that  awful  moment  when  she 
had  first  discovered  his  body  and  left  the  watch 
with  its  dangling  broken  chain  in  his  pocket? 
242 


The  Dancing  Silhouettes 

What  was  it  her  husband  had  told  her?  She 
pressed  her  fingers  against  her  throbbing  temples 
in  an  effort  to  remember.  He  had  returned  just 
as  she  reached  the  hall,  had  carried  her  uncon- 
scious to  their  boudoir,  revived  her,  gone  down- 
stairs for  a  bottle  of  bromides  and  discovered 
Austin  lying  murdered  in  the  library.  She  whit- 
ened to  the  lips.  Had  he  seized  the  opportunity 
to  rifle  her  father's  safe,  the  door  of  which 
was  open,  before  sending  for  the  coroner  and 
police  ? 

He  had  sold  Valve  bonds  belonging  to  her  which 
had  disappeared  that  night  from  the  safe,  and 
now  —  Judith  raised  her  hands  in  silent,  passion- 
ate protest  —  if  Joe,  in  dire  need  of  money,  had 
yielded  to  sudden  overwhelming  temptation  and 
taken  her  bonds,  why  —  why  had  he  stolen  Aus- 
tin's watch?  It  could  bring  him  no  money  re- 
turn, for  the  first  attempt  to  sell  it  would  focus 
suspicion  upon  him. 

If  he  had  been  so  mad  as  to  steal  the  watch  as 
well  as  the  bonds,  why  had  he  been  so  foolhardy 
as  to  send  it  to  a  watchmaker  to  have  the  chain 
repaired,  trusting  to  any  messenger  to  return  it 
to  him  unknown,  to  others  ? 

Judith  stopped  short  in  her  restless  walk  as  a 
sudden  idea  occurred  to  her.     Was  her  husband 
243 


The  Unseen  Ear 


a  kleptomaniac?  Had  he  yielded  to  an  insane 
impulse  to  steal?  Judith  racked  her  brain  to  re- 
member what  she  had  heard  of  kleptomania  — 
that  it  was  a  recognized  mental  derangement,  an 
irresponsible  and  irresistible  propensity  to  steal, 
and  that  the  kleptomaniac  cared  nothing  for  the 
objects  stolen  as  soon  as  the  craze  to  steal  was 
gratified.  But  Joe  had  cared  enough  to  sell  her 
Valve  bonds.  That  might  have  been  a  sane  act, 
Judith  acknowledged  to  herself  bitterly,  but  to 
take  a  useless  watch  which  would  surely  involve 
him  in  another  and  greater  crime  was  the  act  of 
insanity. 

Would  involve  him  —  it  had  already  involved 
him.  Judith's  breath  came  faster  and  perspira- 
tion appeared  in  beads  on  her  forehead.  She 
knew  John  Rale's  stubborn  will,  his  passionate  af- 
fection for  Polly  Davis  —  he  would  move  heaven 
and  earth  to  convict  her  husband.  What  more 
likely  than  that  he  was  already  at  Police  Head- 
quarters swearing  out  a  warrant  for  his  arrest? 

Judith's  loyalty  to  her  husband  was  instantly 
in  arms.  He  might  be  a  kleptomaniac, —  if  so, 
he  was  to  be  pitied  and  protected, —  but  he  was 
not  a  murderer  —  Judith's  faith  remained  un- 
shaken. With  all  her  woman's  wit  she  would 
prove  him  worthy  of  her  trust  and  devotion,  and 
244 


The  Dancing  Silhouettes 

clear  him  of  any  suspicion  of  complicity  in  Aus- 
tin's murder. 

But  how  to  go  about  it?  The  locket  had  dis- 
appeared while  she  and  her  husband  were  sitting 
in  the  boudoir  through  which  the  thief  had  to 
pass  to  enter  the  bedroom.  There  was  but  one 
person  to  her  knowledge  to  whom  the  locket  was 
of  vital  importance  —  Polly  Davis.  And  she, 
Judith,  had  informed  Polly  that  it  was  in  her 
possession  only  a  short  time  before  its  disappear- 
ance. But  the  only  living  persons  who  had  had 
an  opportunity  to  steal  her  jewelry  were  —  herself 
or  her  husband. 

Judith  shuddered  —  had  Joe's  thieving  pro- 
pensities caused  him  to  take  her  jewelry?  Her 
back  had  been  toward  him  when  he  went  to  get 
her  glass  of  water,  but  even  if  there  had  been 
time  for  him  to  slip  into  their  bedroom  and  get 
the  jewelry,  where  had  he  hidden  it  without  her 
seeing  him?  Judith  stared  dully  at  the  opposite 
wall,  despair  tugging  at  her  heartstrings. 

"  Hello,  Judith,"  called  a  cheery  voice  from  the 
doorway,  and  Judith,  whirling  around  with  a 
violent  start,  saw  Dr.  McLane,  black  bag  in  hand, 
looking  at  her.  "  I  have  just  been  upstairs  treat- 
ing Anna's  ankle  and  I  stopped  in  here  on  my  way 
out  to  see  if  any  one  was  at  home." 
245 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Come  in,  doctor,"  she  exclaimed.  "  You 
have  arrived  in  answer  to  my  thoughts." 

As  he  took  her  extended  hand  in  greeting  he 
glanced  quickly  at  her  —  her  palm  was  dry  and 
hot  to  the  touch.  Instantly  his  fingers  sought  her 
pulse. 

"  Come,  Judith,  this  won't  do,"  he  remon- 
strated gravely.  "  Your  pulse  is  pounding  like  a 
millrace.  I  have  cautioned  you  before — " 

"  Please,  doctor,  don't  scold,"  she  pleaded. 
"  It  is  only  caused  by  momentary  excitement.  I'll 
calm  down  after  a  talk  with  you." 

"  Will  you?  "  doubtfully.     "  Well,  fire  away." 

Judith  wheeled  a  chair  around.  "  Do  sit 
down,"  she  coaxed,  "  I  can't  think  of  a  thing  to 
say  while  you  stand  with  that  air  of  bolting 
away." 

McLane  laughed  as  he  followed  her  wishes, 
placing  the  black  bag  within  reach.  "  I  am  all 
attention,"  he  declared.  "  Go  ahead." 

"  Can  kleptomania  be  cured?  " 

McLane  stared  at  her;  the  question  was  unex- 
pected. 

"  Not  permanently,"  he  replied,  and  Judith, 
who  was  toying  with  a  fan  which  was  attached 
to  a  silk  cord  about  her  neck,  raised  it  to  her  lips 
to  hide  their  trembling. 

246 


The  Dancing  Silhouettes 

"  What  are  its  symptoms  ?  "  she  asked. 

"Symptoms?"  The  surgeon  was  distinctly 
puzzled  by  her  questions.  "  It  is  a  mental  de- 
rangement usually  found  among  the  wealthy 
class,  for  the  craze  lies  in  the  act  of  stealing,  and 
the  article  stolen  is  of  indifference  to  the  genuine 
kleptomaniac  and  is  often  of  no  value  whatever. 
A  thief  steals  for  gain  for  himself  or  another." 

"  I  see."  Judith  paused,  and  a  moment  later 
Dr.  McLane,  who  had  been  openly  studying  her 

—  though  she   was  unconscious  of   it  —  roused 
her  from  her  bitter  thoughts. 

"  Where  are  your  mother  and  Major  Rich- 
ards ?  "  he  inquired. 

"  They  have  gone  to  Walter  Reed  Hospital  to 
see  Major  LeFevre,"  she  explained.  "  I  did  not 
feel  equal  to  the  long  trip  and  had  them  leave  me 
here  after  a  short  turn  on  the  speedway." 

"  It  would  have  been  better  had  you  stayed  out 
in  the  fresh  air,"  commented  McLane  frankly. 
"  You  are  brooding  too  much,  Judith.  I  fear  " 

—  with  a  keen  glance  at  her  — "  Austin's  death 
has  upset  you  more  than  you  realize." 

"  We  are  all  upset,"  she  admitted.     "  And  the 
suspense  —  not   knowing  who   is  guilty  of  the 
crime    is    terrible."     She    paused    a    moment. 
"  Could  it  have  been  suicide?  " 
247 


The  Unseen  Ear 


McLane  shook  his  head.  "  Impossible,  judg- 
ing from  the  nature  of  the  wound,"  he  insisted. 
"  The  autopsy  proved  that." 

Judith  straightened  up.  "  You  were  present  at 
the  autopsy,  were  you  not  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Doctor," —  Judith's  hesitation  was  perceptible 
as  she  toyed  with  her  fan  — "  do  you  believe  that 
Austin  was  stabbed  with  a  pair  of  shears?  " 

"  That  is  a  difficult  question  to  answer  offhand, 
Judith,"  he  replied  gravely.  "  Austin's  death  was 
caused  by  a  punctured  wound.  These  wounds, 
Judith,  are  generally  smaller  in  circumference 
than  the  weapon  used,  for  the  skin  is  stretched  and 
yields  to  a  certain  extent.  Therefore  the  wound 
might  have  been  inflicted  with  long,  slender 
shears." 

Judith  considered  his  answer  in  silence,  a  sil- 
ence which  seemed  endless  to  the  busy  surgeon. 
Finally,  with  a  glance  at  her  and  another  at  the 
dial  of  the  clock,  he  rose  and  picked  up  his  bag. 

"  I  must  go,  Judith,"  he  said.  "  Take  my  ad- 
vice, child,  and  lie  down  for  a  while.  If  you 
don't  you  will  be  added  to  my  list  of  patients. 
Please  do  as  I  ask  you." 

Few  could  resist  McLane's  charming  smile,  and 
Judith's  "  I  will  "  was  prompt.     She  experienced 
248 


The  Dancing  Silhouettes 

a  strange  reluctance  to  have  him  go,  and  only  an 
exertion  of  her  self-control  prevented  her  from 
calling  him  back  as  she  closed  the  front  door  on 
his  retreating  figure.  In  her  room  Judith  did  her 
best  to  comply  with  McLane's  request,  but  she 
could  not  lie  still  on  the  bed.  Finally,  unable 
longer  to  control  her  desire  for  motion,  she  got 
up  and  wandered  into  the  boudoir.  From  there 
she  went  to  her  father's  den.  He  was  not  there, 
and  Judith  with  a  glance  into  his  bedroom,  closed 
the  door,  and,  going  over  to  his  desk,  she  sat 
down  before  it  and  went  carefully  through  his 
papers. 

It  was  dusk,  the  early  dusk  of  a  winter  after- 
noon when  Judith  again  entered  the  library. 
Anna,  the  waitress,  had  not  performed  her  usual 
duties  of  turning  on  the  electric  lights,  and  Judith 
contented  herself  with  switching  on  the  lamp  near- 
est her  father's  safe.  Dropping  on  her  knees  be- 
fore it,  she  propped  a  playing  card  on  a  stool 
beside  her,  and,  placing  her  hand  on  the  knob  of 
the  steel  door,  turned  the  dial.  It  was  slow, 
laborious  work  and  perspiration  trickled  into 
Judith's  eyes.  She  saw  but  dimly  the  Knave  of 
Hearts  —  the  red  of  the  playing  card  alone 
showed  up  plainly.  A  last  twist  of  her  wrist  and 
the  heavy  steel  door  swung  backward,  and  Judith 
249 


sank  down  in  a  crouching  position  to  rest  her 
cramped  muscles. 

She  was  still  looking  directly  inside  the  safe 
when  a  handkerchief  was  drawn  across  her  eyes 
and  a  hand  detached  the  wire  connecting  her  ear- 
phone and  the  little  electric  battery  which  she  wore 
tucked  inside  her  belt.  Completely  taken  by  sur- 
prise and  too  paralyzed  to  move,  Judith  sat  mo- 
tionless as  the  hand,  having  completed  its  mission, 
slid  around  and  covered  her  mouth.  Then,  be- 
fore she  could  scramble  to  her  feet,  hands  dragged 
her  backward  until  she  felt  herself  resting  against 
a  table  leg.  It  took  but  a  moment  to  tie  her  to  it ; 
the  next  instant  a  handkerchief  gag  replaced  the 
hand  across  her  mouth. 

For  what  seemed  an  eternity  Judith  sat  without 
motion,  cut  off  from  sound,  from  sight  — 

Surely  the  distorted  silhouettes  dancing  before 
her  vision  were  creatures  of  her  imagination! 
Or  could  it  be  the  shadows  of  real  people  seen 
through  the  folds  of  the  handkerchief? 

Bound,  blindfolded,  gagged,  deprived  of  her 
earphone,  and  her  hearing  deadened  by  nature, 
Judith's  heart  was  beating  with  suffocating  rapid- 
ity. She  must  get  aid  —  aid  before  she  fainted. 
Instinctively  she  bit  and  worried  her  gag,  and 
the  handkerchief,  insecurely  tied,  parted  finally. 
250 


The  Dancing  Silhouettes 

Judith  filled  her  lungs  with  air,  moistened  her 
parched 'lips,  and  tried  to  call  for  help. 

The  whispered  cry  reached  only  to  the  confines 
of  the  room.  To  Judith's  ears  no  sound  pene- 
trated, and  she  waited  in  agony.  Had  her  shout 
carried  beyond  the  library?  Surely  the  maids, 
her  father  —  some  one  must  hear  her  ? 

She  opened  her  mouth  for  another  attempt,  and 
an  oblong  object  was  thrust  between  her  teeth 
and  lashed  around  her  head.  Once  again  she  was 
left  to  herself.  The  excruciating  pain  produced 
by  the  new  gag  caused  Judith  to  clench  her  teeth 
against  it  so  as  to  relieve  the  pressure  on  the 
strained  flesh. 

Judith  had  lost  all  track  of  time  when  suddenly 
she  felt  the  cords,  binding  her  to  the  table  leg, 
loosened,  and,  as  consciousness  left  her,  she  was 
lifted  upward,  a  dead  weight. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 
EDGED  TOOLS 

ROBERT  HALE  crossed  the  central  hall 
and  entered  the  library  with  character- 
istic haste.     On  finding  only  a  solitary 
light  burning,  he  stopped  and  switched  on  the 
other  lamps  until  the  library  was  flooded  with 
light. 

"Hello!"  he  exclaimed,  catching  sight  of 
Major  Richards  standing  in  front  of  the  fireplace. 
"  Glad  you  are  ready  for  dinner.  It  never  fails, 
Joe,  if  I  am  hungry,  Mrs.  Hale  is  always  late. 
She  never  has  a  well  regulated  appetite." 

Richards  laughed.  "  Your  wife  told  me  not  to 
change  into  a  dinner  coat,"  he  explained,  glanc- 
ing apologetically  at  his  sack  suit.  "  She  said 
we  were  so  late  in  getting  back  from  Walter  Reed 
Hospital  that  there  was  not  time." 

"  Beastly   bore  changing   for   dinner."     Hale 
wandered  aimlessly  about  the  library.     "  Agatha 
insists  upon  it,  so  " —  a  shrug  completed  the  sen- 
tence.    "  See  that  you  imbue  Judith  with  the  idea 
252 


Edged  Tools 

that  you  are  master,  and  you  will  enjoy  future 
peace  of  mind." 

"  I  cannot  conceive  of  Judith's  ever  requiring 
a  master,"  retorted  Richards,  a  trifle  heatedly,  and 
Hale  laughed. 

"  You  are  young  and  you  haven't  been  married 
long,"  he  remarked  indulgently.  "  Where's 
Judith?" 

"  She  hasn't  come  down  yet."  Richards  re- 
moved his  foot  from  the  brass  fire  iron  and  stood 
with  his  back  to  the  mantel.  "  I  plan  to  take 
Judith  to  Palm  Beach  on  Thursday." 

"  You  do,  eh  ? "  and  Hale  looked  taken 
aback. 

"  Yes,"  steadily.     "  Judith  is  not  strong." 

Hale  did  not  reply.  Instead,  he  scrutinized  his 
son-in-law  from  his  well  shod  foot  to  the  top  of 
his  short  cropped  hair.  There  was  an  air  of  dis- 
tinction, of  courage,  in  Richards'  carriage  and  in 
his  firm  chin  and  clear  eyes,  eyes  which  did  not 
waver  before  Hale's  piercing  glance. 

"  That  is  not  a  bad  plan  of  yours,"  Hale  re- 
marked finally.  "  Perhaps  Agatha  and  I  will  fol- 
low you  in  a  week  or  two.  The  fact  is  " —  he 
selected  a  chair  near  Richards  — "  Austin's  death 
and  the  mystery  surrounding  it  are  getting  on 
every  one's  nerves.  It  is  demoralizing  the  house- 
253 


The  Unseen  Ear 


hold.  The  police  —  bah !  they  are  incompetents. 
They  never  see  the  obvious." 

"And  what  is  the  obvious,  Mr.  Hale?" 

Hale  hesitated  and  cast  a  doubtful  look  at  his 
son-in-law. 

"  The  curious  behavior  of  a  certain  female  — " 

Richards  bent  forward  and  stared  at  him,  wait- 
ing for  the  sentence  to  be  completed. 

"  What  female  do  you  allude  to  ?  "  he  demanded 
impatiently,  breaking  the  pause. 

The  portieres  were  pulled  aside,  and  Anna,  the 
waitress,  appeared,  silver  salver  in  hand. 

"  Beg  pardon,  Mr.  Hale,  but  here  is  a  telegram 
for  Miss  Davis,"  and  she  extended  it  to  him. 
"  The  messenger  refused  to  take  it  to  her  house 
address." 

"  Very  well,  I  will  see  that  it  is  forwarded." 
Hale  put  on  his  glasses,  inspected  the  Western 
Union  envelope  and  its  address,  then  laid  the  tele- 
gram on  the  table.  "  Has  Mr.  John  returned, 
Anna?" 

"  No,  sir,"  and  Anna  limped  away  to  the  pan- 
try by  way  of  the  dining  room  as  Mrs.  Hale 
stepped  between  the  portieres  in  front  of  the  door- 
way leading  to  the  central  hall. 

"  Now,  don't  say  I  am  late,  Robert,"  she  began. 
"  I  have  lost  no  time,  and  I  do  believe  I  am  down 
254 


Edged  Tools 

before  Judith,"  with  a  quick  glance  about  the 
library.  "  What  did  you  do  with  yourself  this 
afternoon?  " 

"  Took  a  walk,"  laconically.  Hale  drummed 
his  fingers  on  the  chair,  and  Richards  wondered 
for  the  second  time  what  made  him  so  restless. 
He  had  always  an  alertness  of  manner,  but  to 
Richards  it  now  appeared  almost  furtive.  Hale 
pointed  to  the  clock.  "  Why  do  we  have  to  wait 
for  Judith  and  John  ?  "  he  demanded.  "  Suppose 
we  go  in  to  dinner." 

Richards  left  his  place  by  the  mantel.  "  I'll  go 
for  Judith,"  he  volunteered.  "  I  would  have  done 
so  before,  Mrs.  Hale;  I  but  stopped  in  here  on 
our  return,  thinking  she  would  come  in  every 
minute." 

As  he  crossed  the  library,  a  door  slammed  in 
the  distance  and  heavy  footsteps  approached  just 
as  Richards  reached  the  portieres.  They  were 
dragged  aside  and  he  came  face  to  face  with  John 
Hale  whose  labored  breathing  indicated  haste  or 
excitement,  or  both  combined. 

"So  you  are  here!"  John  Hale  exclaimed  in 
high  satisfaction,  and  called  over  his  shoulder, 
"  Come  in,  Ferguson.  No,  you  don't,"  as  Rich- 
ards, who  had  stepped  back  courteously  to  permit 
him  to  advance  into  the  library,  started  for  the 

255 


The  Unseen  Ear 


hall.  "  You'll  stay  here  and  face  the  music,"  and 
he  thrust  out  his  hand  to  push  him  back. 

"  Take  your  hands  off  my  shoulder,"  com- 
manded Richards,  his  anger  rising  both  at  his 
words  and  action.  "What  do  you  wish  with 
me?" 

"  I  wish  you  to  explain  in  the  presence  of  wit- 
nesses " — John  Hale  cast  a  triumphant  look  at 
his  brother  and  sister-in-law  before  continuing  — 
"  how  you  obtained  this  watch,"  and,  drawing  it 
out  of  his  pocket,  he  swung  it  before  Richards. 

Richards  looked  first  at  the  watch  and  then  at 
his  questioner. 

"  It  would  be  just  as  well  if  you  first  explained 
how  it  came  into  your  possession,"  he  remarked 
quietly,  and  John  Hale  crimsoned. 

"  Don't  take  that  tone  with  me,"  he  exclaimed. 
"  I  have  the  law  behind  me." 

"If  the  law  is  represented  in  the  person  of 
Detective  Ferguson,  it  is  loitering  directly  back  of 
you,"  broke  in  his  brother  who,  with  Mrs.  Hale, 
had  drawn  closer  to  the  two  angry  men.  "  Come 
in,  Ferguson,  don't  stand  on  the  outskirts.  My 
brother  is  not  really  so  formidable.as  he  appears." 

Ferguson,  who  had  purposely  remained  in  the 
background,  an  interested  spectator  of  the  scene, 
flushed  at  Hale's  mocking  tone  and  entered  the 
256 


Edged  Tools 

library  with  some  precipitancy.  Hale  watched 
him  in  open  amusement,  then  he  turned  to  his 
brother. 

"  Continue  your  remarks,  John,"  he  directed. 
"  We  are  waiting." 

"  I  am  addressing  Major  Richards  and  not 
you,"  retorted  his  brother.  "  Well,  sir,  what 
about  the  watch  ?  " 

"  I  am  waiting  for  an  answer  to  my  question, 
Mr.  Hale,"  responded  Richards. 

"  How  I  got  the  watch  doesn't  concern  you." 
John  Hale  spoke  with  more  deliberation.  "  How 
you  obtained  possession  of  Austin's  watch  does 
concern  —  the  police." 

"  Austin's  watch ! "  gasped  Mrs.  Hale. 
"Good  heavens!"  She  leaned  nearer  and  in- 
spected it,  taking  care  not  to  touch  the  watch. 
"  Where  did  it  come  from?  " 

"  That  is  what  I  am  asking  Major  Richards. 
Perhaps  he  will  be  more  courteous  and  answer 
your  question,  as  it  is  addressed  by  a  woman  " — 
and  John  Hale  looked  scornfully  at  Richards. 

"  The  gibe  is  unnecessary,"  retorted  the  latter. 
"  As  the  watch  is  in  your  possession  and  not 
in  mine,  it  is  up  to  you  to  explain  how  you  got 
it." 

Hale  laughed  outright.     "  He  has  you  there, 
257 


The  Unseen  Ear 


John,"  he  chuckled.  "  Have  you  an  answer 
ready?" 

Ignoring  his  brother,  John  Hale  addressed  him- 
self exclusively  to  Richards. 

"  Austin's  watch  was  sent  to  this  house  by  Jen- 
nings, the  watchmaker,  with  whom  you  left  it  to 
have  the  chain  repaired.  See,  it  bears  your 
name,"  and  he  displayed  the  label  still  attached  to 
the  watch.  Richards  read  the  words  on  it  with 
interest. 

"  Well,  what  have  you  to  say?  "  demanded  John 
Hale,  as  he  made  no  remark. 

"  That  the  watch  bears  my  name  does  not  prove 
that  I  left  the  watch  with  this  man,  Jennings," 
Richards  stated,  and  John  Hale  turned  triumph- 
antly to  the  detective. 

"  There,  didn't  I  tell  you  he  would  take  that 
attitude  ?  "  he  cried.  "  It  won't  do,  Richards. 
Ferguson  and  I  have  just  seen  Jennings  and  he 
described  you  accurately  in  giving  an  account  of 
the  man  who  left  the  watch  with  him  on  Wednes- 
day—  mind  you,  later  in  the  same  morning  on 
which  Austin  was  found  murdered.  How  did 
you  get  possession  of  Austin's  watch?" 

Richards  looked  steadily  at  the  excited  man  be- 
fore him,  at  the  others  —  noting  instantly  the 
serious  expression  of  Mrs.  Hale's  countenance, 
258 


Edged  Tools 

her  husband's  intent  interest,  and  Ferguson's  keen 
attention.  Then,  slowly,  he  glanced  around  the 
library  —  Judith  was  not  present.  He  drew  a 
long  breath. 

"  I  decline  to  answer  your  question,  Mr.  Hale," 
he  said. 

Ferguson  stepped  forward.  "  It  would  be  best, 
Major,  if  you  did,"  he  suggested.  "  That  is  a  bit 
of  friendly  advice." 

"Thanks,"  dryly.  "Had  you  not  better 
warn  me  that  anything  I  say  will  be  used  against 
me?" 

Hale  chuckled,  then  grew  serious.  "  Come, 
John,  what  does  this  scene  mean  ?  "  he  demanded 
of  his  brother.  "  What  are  you  trying  to 
prove?  " 

<c  That  Major  Richards  has  a  guilty  knowledge 
of,  or  is  guilty  of,  Austin's  murder,"  he  replied, 
and  at  his  words  a  cry  broke  from  Mrs.  Hale  and 
she  collapsed  in  the  nearest  chair. 

Richards  looked  at  John  Hale  in  silence  for  a 
brief  second. 

"  So  that  is  it,"  he  exclaimed.  "  I  congratulate 
you  on  your  acumen.  Now,  perhaps  you  will  tell 
me  why  I  murdered  a  man  whom  I  had  never 
seen  ? " 

"  Oh,  don't  say  that,  don't,"  wailed  Mrs.  Hale. 
259 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  I  found  your  name  in  Austin's  membership  book 
of  his  Senior  secret  society  at  Yale." 

Richards  regarded  her  in  surprise.  "  Certainly 
my  name  is  in  the  book ;  but  I  graduated  at  Yale 
before  Austin's  freshman  year." 

John  Hale  smothered  an  oath.  "  Whether  you 
knew  Austin  or  not  is  immaterial.  When  a  man 
is  caught  in  the  act  of  burglarizing  a  safe  he 
doesn't  need  an  introduction  to  the  man  who  de- 
tects him  —  he  kills  him  —  as  you  murdered 
Austin." 

Richards  shrugged  his  shoulder.  "  You  will 
have  it  that  way,"  he  spoke  with  studied  indiffer- 
ence, as  he  again  stole  a  look  about  the  room  — 
where  was  Judith  ?  "  Has  it  ever  occurred  to 
you  that  Austin  might  have  been  rifling  Mr. 
Hale's  safe  and  was  killed  in  the  act — " 

"  By  whom  ?  "  gasped  Mrs.  Hale ;  her  face  was 
ashen  in  color. 

"  I  leave  that  conundrum  to  the  police,"  replied 
Richards.  "  It  was  but  a  suggestion." 

"  Which  carries  no  weight,"  retorted  John 
Hale.  "  This  watch  isn't  the  only  thing  we  have 
on  you,  Richards."  He  turned  to  his  brother. 
"  What  was  stolen  from  your  safe  on  Tuesday 
night?" 

Mrs.  Hale's  sudden  start  was  lost  on  her  hus- 
260 


Edged  Tools 

band.     Hale  looked  at  Richards  queerly,  thought 
a  minute,  then  answered  with  brevity. 

"  Ten  bonds  of  the  Troy  Valve  Company  be- 
longing to  Judith." 

"  And  those  bonds,  Richards,  you  sold  to  cover 
your  losses  in  speculation,"  declared  John  Hale. 

Richards  contemplated  the  two  brothers  in 
thunderstruck  silence. 

"  You  say  that  Judith  had  Valve  bonds  in  your 
safe  which  were  stolen  on  Tuesday  night,  Mr. 
Hale?  "  he  demanded  of  the  elder  brother. 

"  Yes." 

"  So  it  was  your  wife's  bonds  which  you  first 
stole  and  then  sold  " —  John  Hale  was  enjoying 
himself.  He  had  caught  the  hunted  look  in 
Richards'  eyes.  Turning,  he  winked  at  Fergu- 
son, and  when  he  again  faced  Richards,  the  latter 
had  himself  well  in  hand. 

"  You  have  stated  twice  now  that  I  sold  Valve 
bonds,"  Richards  began.  "  It  is  up  to  you  to 
prove  it." 

"  And  I  can  " —  wheeling  around,  John  Hale 
seized  the  desk  telephone  and  repeated  a  number. 
A  second  more  and  he  called  into  the  instrument : 

"  John  Hale  speaking,  Frank.     Come  over  to 
the  house  as  quickly  as  you  can.     Polly  —  what 
about  Polly  ?  —  I  don't  catch  that  —  tell  me  when 
261 


The  Unseen  Ear 


you  get  here,"  and  he  banged  up  the  receiver,  then 
turned  to  the  others  in  the  library.  "  It  won't 
take  Latimer  five  minutes  to  reach  here." 

"And  why  is  his  presence  required?"  ques- 
tioned Richards.  "  It  strikes  me  that  this  scene 
has  been  prolonged  unnecessarily." 

"  Possibly,  from  your  viewpoint."  John 
Male's  smile  was  not  pleasant.  "  Don't  get  nerv- 
ous at  this  stage  of  the  game." 

Richards'  eyes  blazed  and  he  made  a  quick  step 
in  his  direction  —  to  find  the  way  blocked  by 
Detective  Ferguson. 

"  None  o'  that,"  he  exclaimed  hastily.  "  Re- 
member, Mrs.  Hale  is  present." 

Richards  pulled  himself  together  and  his  right 
arm  dropped  to  his  side. 

"  I  quite  understand  that  Mr.  John  Hale  is 
aware  that  he  has  the  protection  of  a  woman's 
presence,"  he  remarked.  Again  Robert  Hale 
chuckled  faintly,  wlfile  his  brother,  coloring  hotly, 
had  difficulty  in  curbing  his  unruly  tongue.  The 
latter  turned  abruptly  to  his  sister-in-law. 

"  Agatha,  suppose  you  leave  us,"  he  suggested. 

"  I  will  not,"  and  Mrs.  Hale,  whose  eyes  were 
twice  their  usual  size,  squared  herself  in  her  seat. 
"  I  gather,  John,  I  am  needed  here  to  keep  you  in 
order." 

262 


Edged  Tools 

"  Quite  right,  my  dear,"  and  her  husband  pat- 
ted her  approvingly  on  the  back,  before  turning 
to  his  brother.  "  Now,  John,  if  you  have  any 
more  remarks  to  address  to  Major  Richards,  omit 
all  personalities  or" — his  voice  deepened — "I 
shall  have  to  request  you  to  leave  the  room." 

Ferguson  caught  the  look  that  John  Hale  shot 
at  his  brother  and  stepped  gamely  into  the  breach. 
He  had  divined  earlier  in  the  investigation  that 
it  took  little  to  arouse  the  smoldering  animosity 
between  the  brothers. 

"  Major  Richards,"  he  commenced,  "  you  told 
Coroner  Penfield  that  you  spent  Tuesday  evening 
at  the  Metropolitan  Club.  At  what  hour  did  you 
leave  the  club  for  home?  " 

Richards  considered  the  question.  "  It  was 
just  midnight,"  he  stated.  "  I  am  positive  as  to 
the  time  for  the  clocks  were  chiming  when  I  left 
the  building,  and  I  waited  and  counted  the  strokes 
• —  twelve  of  them." 

The  detective  consulted  a  page  in  his  notebook. 
"  You  also  told  the  coroner  that  you  reached  here 
about  twenty  minutes  past  one  on  Wednesday 
morning.  Where  did  you  stop  between  here  and 
the  club?" 

"  Nowhere." 

Ferguson   eyed  him   intently.     "  The  club   is 
263 


The  Unseen  Ear 


about  fifteen  minutes  walk  from  here,  at  the  out- 
side," he  declared.  "  Do  you  contend  that  it  took 
you  over  an  hour  to  reach  this  house  ?  " 

;<  Yes/'  quietly.  "  Your  circles  and  avenues 
are  confusing  and  I  lost  my  way." 

John  Hale  laughed  aloud.  "  A  great  alibi,"  he 
sneered.  "  Austin  was  murdered  between  Tues- 
day midnight  and  one  A.  M.  Wednesday  —  thus 
you  had  ample  time  to  reach  here,  kill  him,  leave 
the  house  and  return  a  few  minutes  after  one 
o'clock." 

"You  think  so?"  Richards  shrugged  his 
shoulders  disdainfully.  "  Well,  prove  it." 

"  I  will."  John  Hale  waved  his  walking  stick 
which  he  had  brought  with  him  into  the  library  in 
his  haste  to  encounter  Richards.  "  And  here's 
one  link  in  the  chain  now,"  as  Frank  Latimer  was 
ushered  in  by  Anna,  the  waitress,  whose  curious 
glance  at  the  excited  group  escaped  notice. 
"  Frank,  did  Major  Richards  sell  ten  bonds  of 
the  Troy  Valve  Company  in  your  office  on  Fri- 
day afternoon?  " 

"He  did."  The  little  stockbroker  stared  at 
each  in  turn,  and  the  gravity  of  their  expression 
was  reflected  in  his  manner. 

"  Did  Judith  call  there  that  same  afternoon  ?  " 
Richards'  violent  start  was  seen  by  all,  and  John 
264 


Edged  Tools 

Hale's  eyes  gleamed  viciously  as  he  continued  his 
questions.  "  Did  she  tell  you  that  she  owned  ten 
bonds  of  the  Troy  Valve  Company,  numbering 
from  3/982  to  37991  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  And  did  those  numbers  correspond  with  the 
numbers  on  the  bonds  sold  you  by  Major  Rich- 
ards?" 

"  They  did." 

John  Hale  turned  to  his  brother.  "  You  have  a 
memorandum  of  Judith's  bonds  which  were  stolen 
from  your  safe  on  Tuesday  night,"  he  stated. 
"  Repeat  the  numbers." 

There  was  a  slight  hesitation  in  Hale's  manner 
before  he  complied  with  his  brother's  abrupt  re- 
quest. Opening  his  leather  wallet,  he  found  a 
memorandum  and  ran  his  eye  down  it. 

"  The  numbers  are  the  same,"  he  said,  and 
replaced  his  wallet. 

"Well,  Richards,  have  you  anything  to  say?" 
demanded  John  Hale,  and  edged  nearer  him. 

"  Nothing  —  to  you,"  and  John  Hale  flushed  at 
his  cutting  tone. 

"  Perhaps  you'll  have  something  to  say  to  me, 
Major,"  broke  in  Detective  Ferguson.  "  Will 
you  tell  us  how  you  got  those  bonds?  " 

Richards  eyed  the  little  group;  his  gaze  rested 
265 


The  Unseen  Ear 


longest  on  Robert  Hale,  then  he  turned  to  Fergu- 
son, as  the  detective  repeated  his  question. 

"  No,"  he  responded.     "  I  will  not  tell  you." 

Mrs.  Hale  leaned  forward  and  placed  a  trem- 
bling hand  on  his  arm. 

"Did  Judith  give  you  the  bonds?"  she  asked 
timidly. 

"  No,  Mrs.  Hale,  she  did  not,"  and  Richards, 
catching  her  pitying  look,  felt  a  sudden  tightening 
of  his  heartstrings.  It  was  the  first  expression 
of  sympathy  vouchsafed  him.  Where  —  where 
was  Judith? 

Ferguson  broke  the  brief  pause. 

"  Major  Richards,"  he  began,  and  Mrs.  Hale 
clutched  her  chair  in  her  excitement.  Her  head 
felt  heavy,  her  breathing  stifled  —  Dr.  McLane 
had  warned  her  about  a  weak  heart.  "  You  have 
heard  Mr.  Latimer,  a  reputable  witness,  testify 
that  you  sold  bonds  belonging  to  your  wife,  and 
Mr.  Hale,  your  father-in-law,  has  stated  that  those 
bonds  were  stolen  from  his  safe  on  Tuesday  night. 
You  declare  that  you  left  the  Metropolitan  Club 
on  Tuesday  at  midnight,  and  that  you  lost  your 
way  and  spent  an  hour  walking  about  the  streets 
before  reaching  this  house  at  twenty  minutes  past 
one  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning.  Can  you 
substantiate  that  statement  with  witnesses  ?  " 
266 


Edged  Tools 

"  I  cannot."  Richards'  gaze  was  unwavering 
and  his  voice  firm,  but  his  face  was  white  and 
strained.  "  I  met  no  one  while  walking  home. 
That  was  the  chief  reason  for  my  delay,  because 
I  had  no  opportunity  to  ask  the  right  direction  to 
take.  I  have  no  sense  of  locality." 

"  Humph,  very  pretty !  "  commented  John  Hale, 
and  Detective  Ferguson  scowled  at  him. 

"  I'm  handling  this  case,  Mr.  Hale."  He  spoke 
harshly,  and  John  Hale  showed  instant  resent- 
ment by  returning  the  scowl  as  the  detective  again 
addressed  Richards.  "  You  left  the  watch  be- 
longing to  the  murdered  man,  Austin  Hale,  with 
Jennings  to  repair.  That  is  conclusive  evidence 
that  the  watch  had  been  in  your  possession." 

"  So  you  claim  " —  and  Richards  smiled  polite- 
ly. "  Don't  let  me  interrupt  your  little  romance, 
Ferguson.  Go  on." 

Ferguson  swallowed  his  wrath.  "  I  am  stating 
facts,  Major,  facts  which  have  been  proved. 
Once  more  I'll  give  you  a  chance  to  state  your 
version  of  how  Austin's  watch  came  into  your 
possession,  and  the  Valve  bonds  as  well." 

"  Thanks."  Richards'  brows  were  knit  in  a 
deep  frown.  "  Do  I  understand  that  I  am  your 
prisoner?  " 

Ferguson  drew  out  a  legal  document.  "  I 
267 


The  Unseen  Ear 


have  this  warrant  for  your  arrest,"  he  admitted. 

"  Then  I  will  reserve  what  I  have  to  say  until  I 
see  a  lawyer." 

"But,  Major— " 

"  No,  Ferguson,"  firmly.  "  A  prisoner's  right 
to  consult  a  lawyer  is  a  constitutional  right." 

"  Prisoner ! "  Mrs.  Hale  started  from  her 
chair.  "Robert—" 

Robert  Hale  stepped  forward.  "  Sit  down, 
Agatha."  He  pushed  her  gently  back  in  her 
chair  before  turning  to  Ferguson.  "  Who  swore 
out  that  warrant  ?  " 

"  Your  brother,  Mr.  John  Hale." 

"So"—  Hale  faced  his  brother.  "Have 
you  forgotten  our  conversation  early  this  after- 
noon? " 

"  I  have  not."  John  Hale  shouldered  Latimer 
to  one  side  as  he  stepped  nearer  the  center  of  the 
room.  "  You  tried  to  fasten  Austin's  murder 
on  an  innocent  girl  to  shield  your  daughter's 
husband." 

"  An  innocent  girl !  "  Hale's  mocking  smile 
brought  his  brother's  rage  to  fever  heat.  "  So 
innocent  that  when  she  quarreled  with  her  lover  at 
their  midnight  meeting  she  killed  him  with  her 
shears  —  shears  which  I  had  bought  for  her  the 
week  before."  Swiftly  he  turned  to  Ferguson. 
268 


Edged  Tools 

"  Release  Major  Richards  and  arrest  the  real 
criminal,  Polly  Davis." 

An  oath  broke  from  John  Hale,  and  in  blind 
fury  he  twirled  his  walking  stick.  His  brother, 
by  a  dexterous  twist  only,  avoided  the  thrust. 
As  the  steel  point  of  the  sword  cane  came  to 
rest  directly  under  the  powerful  light  from  a 
standing  reading  lamp,  a  scream  escaped  Mrs. 
Hale. 

"  Look,  look !  "  she  cried.  "  It's  covered  with 
blood." 


CHAPTER  XIX 
THE  UNSEEN  EAR 

AS  if  hypnotized,  John  Hale  stared  at  his 
sword    cane,    raising    it    slowly,    very 
slowly,  then  as  slowly  dropped  the  point 
and  gazed  at  his  brother. 

"  It  is  blood,"  he  gasped.  "  But  you  are  un- 
hurt?" 

"  Yes."  Robert  Hale's  voice  was  not  quite 
steady.  "  You  did  not  reach  me." 

"  Then  where  did  this  blood  come  from?  "  de- 
manded John  Hale.  "  It's  —  it's  not  fresh/'  and 
there  was  a  growing  horror  in  the  look  he  cast  at 
his  companions. 

Ferguson,  who  had  followed  every  act  and 
word  with  rapt  attention,  picked  up  the  bamboo 
cane  casing  which  John  Hale  had  tossed  to  the 
floor  when  he  drew  the  concealed  weapon  and 
lunged  at  his  brother.  Stepping  up  to  the  dazed 
man,  the  detective  took  the  sword  from  his  un- 
resisting hand  and  examined  it  with  interest. 

"  Austin    Hale    was    killed    by    a    rapier-like 
thrust,"  he  stated  slowly.     "  The  autopsy  proved 
270 


The  Unseen  Ear 


that  the  wound  was  greater  in  depth  than  in 
length.  Is  this  your  cane,  Mr.  Hale?" 

John  Hale  wet  his  dry  lips.  "  It  is,"  he 
muttered,  and  looked  dumbly  at  his  silent,  motion- 
less companions. 

"  You  carry  it  always?"  asked  Ferguson  with 
dogged  persistence. 

"  When  I  go  out,  yes." 

"  Who  knows  that  this  ordinary-appearing 
bamboo  cane  conceals  a  rapier  ?  " 

"  My  brother."  John  Hale  avoided  looking  at 
them,  his  eyes  were  still  on  the  sword  cane. 

"  Any  one  else?  " 

"N  —  no." 

"Quite  sure?"  and  Ferguson  tried  to  meet 
his  eye. 

"No  —  yes."  With  an  effort  John  Hale  re- 
covered some  semblance  of  his  usual  manner.  "  I 
may  have  spoken  of  the  cane  but  I  don't  recall 
doing  so.  I  bought  it  from  an  antique  dealer 
and  it's  been  a  fad  of  mine  to  carry  it." 

"  I  see."  Ferguson  considered  him  steadily 
for  a  moment.  "  Where  were  you  on  Tuesday 
night?" 

"  At  the  French  Embassy  reception." 

"  Mrs.  Hale," —  the  detective  spoke  her  name 
with  such  sharpness  that  she  jumped  involuntarily 
271 


The  Unseen  Ear 


— "  was  your  brother-in-law  with  you  at  the  Em- 
bassy between  midnight  Tuesday  and  one  o'clock 
Wednesday  morning  ?  " 

Mrs.  Hale  looked  at  no  one  in  particular  and 
wrung  her  hands. 

"Must  I  answer?"  she  begged,  turning  im- 
ploringly to  her  husband  and,  as  she  caught  his 
expression,  exclaimed :  "  No,  I  refuse  to." 

"  Don't  put  yourself  out  for  me,  Agatha." 
There  was  a  sudden  utter  weariness  in  John  Male's 
tone,  and  Richards  started  and  looked  at  him  in- 
tently. What  did  it  portend?  "I  will  answer 
your  question,  Ferguson.  I  was  not  at  the 
French  Embassy  during  that  time." 

"  Where  were  you?  " 

There  was  a  tense  silence.  When  John  Hale 
answered  he  spoke  hardly  above  a  whisper. 

"  I  had  returned  to  this  house  to  meet  my  step- 
son, Austin." 

Mrs.  Hale  collapsed.  "  Oh,  dear !  oh,  dear, 
I've  feared  it  all  along,"  she  wailed,  and  burst 
into  tears.  "  Oh,  Polly,  Polly,  you  have  a  lot 
to  answer  for !  " 

"  Have  I  ?  "  asked  a  strained  voice,  and  Polly 

Davis,  who  had  been  a  stunned  witness  of  the 

scene,  advanced  a  few  steps  further  into  the  room, 

Anna,  the  waitress,  peering  over  her  shoulder  with 

272 


The  Unseen  Ear 


wide,  curious  eyes.  "  Well,  I  am  here  to  face  the 
consequences." 

John  Hale,  who  had  not  taken  his  eyes  from 
her  ghastly  face,  sprang  to  her  side. 

"No!"  he  exclaimed  vehemently.  "No. 
Go  home." 

"  Presently,"  she  silenced  him  with  an  impera- 
tive gesture,  before  turning  to  the  detective. 

"  Whom  do  you  accuse  of  the  murder  of  Austin 
Hale  ?  "  she  asked. 

Ferguson  scratched  a  bewildered  head.  "  I 
did  believe  Major  Richards  guilty,"  he  admitted 
slowly.  "  But  seeing  that  Mr.  Hale  states  he 
came  back  here  to  meet  his  stepson,  that  Austin 
was  killed  at  that  time  with  a  rapier  thrust,  and 
that  Mr.  Hale's  sword  cane  has  bloodstains  on 
it —  "  He  paused.  "  Well,  taking  all  that  into 
consideration  and  with  the  knowledge  that  he  and 
Austin  were  not  on  good  terms  —  I  guess  —  it 
looks  as  if  Mr.  Hale  killed  him." 

Polly  drew  a  long,  painful  breath.  "  Wait," 
she  cautioned.  "  I  was  here  on  Tuesday  night" 

"  Hush !  "  commanded  John,  a  look  of  agony 
on  his  strong  face. 

"  No,  I  must  speak."  Polly  partly  turned 
from  him  and  addressed  the  others.  "  I  wrote 
Austin  on  Saturday  breaking  our  engagement, 

273 


The  Unseen  Ear 


but  as  Monday  was  Washington's  Birthday  he 
never  received  the  letter  until  Tuesday  morning. 
In  answer  I  had  a  wire  from  Austin  stating  that 
he  would  get  here  Tuesday  about  midnight. 
I  " —  her  voice  quivered  a  bit,  then  steadied  — 
"  it  was  imperative  that  I  see  him  without  delay, 
so  I  came,  admitting  myself  with  Mrs.  Hale's 
latchkey  which  I  had  borrowed  one  day  last  week. 
I  walked  into  the  library " —  she  caught  her 
breath. ' 

"Stop,  Polly,"  pleaded  John  Hale.  "Stop. 
You  don't  know  what  you  are  saying."  Seeing 
that  she  paid  no  attention  to  his  words,  he  ap- 
pealed to  the  detective.  "  For  God's  sake  tell 
her  to  stop  —  it's  not  fair  —  it's  cruel  —  she  shall 
not  convict  herself." 

"What  are  you  insinuating?"  cried  Polly. 
"  Convict  myself  ?  Are  you  mad  ?  Austin  was 
stabbed  before  I  entered  this  house." 

The  five  men  eyed  each  other  in  silence,  then 
concentrated  their  attention  upon  her,  forgetful 
of  Mrs.  Hale,  of  Anna  —  waiting  for  her  to  con- 
tinue. 

"  I  saw  Austin  lying  on  the  floor,"  she  went 

on,  her  voice  husky  with  emotion.      '  The  shock 

made  me  cry  out,  then  my  whole  impulse  was  to 

run,  to  hide.     I  reached  the  central  hall  and  paused 

274 


The  Unseen  Ear 


to  gather  strength;  a  faint  noise  on  the  staircase 
caused  me  to  look  in  that  direction  and  I  made 
out  dimly  a  man  peering  at  me  over  the  bannis- 
ters " —  She  paused.  "  Mr.  Robert  Hale,  why 
are  you  using  a  dictograph  in  this  house?" 

Hale  looked  at  her  in  dumb  surprise  —  twice 
he  opened  his  lips  to  speak  and  twice  closed  them 
with  the  words  unspoken.  Richards,  standing 
somewhat  in  the  background,  bent  forward  in  a 
listening  attitude. 

"What's  that  noise?"  he  demanded. 
"Listen!" 

Through  the  silence  came  a  faint  drumming,  it 
grew  louder,  then  died  away,  to  break  out  again 
a  little  louder,  more  insistently. 

"  By  heavens,  it  comes  from  the  alcove ! "  ex- 
claimed Richards,  and  racing  across  the  room, 
he  dashed  aside  the  heavy  red  satin  curtains  pulled 
across  it.  A  horrified  exclamation  escaped  him, 
and  he  recoiled  at  sight  of  Judith,  bound  and 
gagged,  lying  on  the  window  seat.  Her  body  had 
slipped  down  the  piled  up  sofa  cushions  and  her 
right  foot  just  touched  the  paneled  wall  and  with 
it  she  was  beating  the  devil's  tattoo. 

"  Good  God !  "  gasped  Richards,  then  recover- 
ing himself,  tore  at  her  fastenings.  Ferguson, 
more  clear-headed  than  the  other,  slashed  at  the 
275 


The  Unseen  Ear 


clothes'  line  which  bound  her  with  John  Hale's 
sword  cane,  and  aided  him  in  carrying  her  to  a 
chair  by  the  table. 

"  Chafe  her  arms  and  ankles  so  that  the  blood 
will  circulate,"  he  advised,  while  his  nimble  fingers 
untied  the  cord  holding  the  fan,  which  had  been 
thrust  into  her  mouth  as  a  gag. 

Judith,  who  had  watched  their  efforts  in  silent 
agony,  raised  her  cramped  arms  and  massaged  the 
stiffened  muscles  of  her  mouth  and  jaw;  then 
she  replaced  the  wires  connecting  her  earphone 
and  its  battery. 

"  In  God's  name  who  has  treated  you  so, 
Judith  ?  "  demanded  Richards,  his  eyes  were  blaz- 
ing with  rage.  "  Who  has  dared  to  — "  and  he 
choked. 

"  Fetch  my  smelling  salts,"  Judith  spoke  with 
some  difficulty  and  paused  eagerly  to  drink  the 
water  offered  her  by  Frank  Latimer.  "  No,  don't 
go,  Anna,"  placing  her  hand  on  the  waitress' 
shoulder  as  she  knelt  at  her  side  chafing  her 
ankles.  "  Ring  for  Maud." 

Her  father  complied  with  her  request,  then 
returned  to  Judith.  For  the  first  time  he  looked 
old  and  haggard. 

"What's   the   meaning   of   all   this?"   he   de- 
manded, with  a  return  of  his  domineering  manner. 
276 


The  Unseen  Ear 


Judith  looked  at  her  husband  for  a  fleeting 
second,  then  addressed  Detective  Ferguson  whose 
attention  was  focused  on  her. 

"  I  have  a  confession  to  make  to  you,"  she 
began.  "  You  recall  finding  the  bloodstained 
shears  near  Austin's  body?" 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  as  she  paused. 

"  I  used  them." 

"  Judith !  "  Richards  sprang  forward  with  an 
imploring  gesture,  but  for  once  his  wife  ignored 
him. 

"  I  used  them,"  she  reiterated,  "  to  remove  a 
locket  from  Austin's  watch  chain  when  I  found 
him  lying  dead  in  this  library.  That  locket," 
she  paused  to  take  the  smelling  salts  which  Maud 
who  had  hurriedly  entered  a  second  before  handed 
to  her, — "  that  locket  Polly  Davis  stole  from  my 
bedroom  last  night  with  other  jewelry." 

No  one  spoke,  and  Judith,  resting  one  hand  on 
Anna's  shoulder  and  the  other  on  Maud's  arm, 
rose  stiffly  to  her  feet. 

"  Late  this  afternoon,"  Judith  continued,  "  I 
was  examining  Father's  safe," —  Hale  started 
violently  — "  when  some  one  stole  behind  me, 
blindfolded  me,  disconnected  my  earphone,  and 
gagged  me." 

"Well,  well,  go  on,"  urged  Detective  Ferguson, 
277 


The  Unseen  Ear 


forgetting,  in  his  interest,  his  usual  respectful 
manner. 

"  I  was  gagged,"  repeated  Judith,  "  with  my 
fan.  The  thief  did  not  know  that  this  fan  " — 
she  raised  it  as  she  spoke  — "  is  an  ear  trumpet 
which  when  pressed  against  my  teeth  enables  me 
to  hear  distinctly." 

Her  right  hand  moved  upward  with  a  sweep- 
ing motion,  and  Maud,  the  parlor  maid,  was 
shorn  of  her  cap  and  wig. 

Ferguson  recovered  from  his  stupefaction  in 
time  to  trip  and  catch  the  flying  figure. 

"  Jim  Turner,"  he  gasped,  as  the  handcuffs 
slipped  over  the  wrists  of  the  erstwhile  maid. 
"  I've  been  looking  for  you  for  five  years." 

"  And  you  have  found  the  murderer  of  Austin 
Hale,"  ended  Judith. 


CHAPTER  XX 
RUN  TO  COVER 

IN  stunned  silence  the  little  group  eyed  De- 
tective Ferguson  and  his  prisoner.     Slowly 
the  latter  rose  from  his  hands  and  knees,  the 
handcuffs  clinking  musically  as  he  knocked  against 
Ferguson's  left  wrist  to  which  he  was  secured. 

"  Easy,"  cautioned  Ferguson,  and  the  revolver 
in  his  right  hand  menaced  the  murderer.  "  You'll 
get  no  chance  to  escape  now,  Jim,"  with  emphasis, 
then  with  reluctant  admiration  as  he  scanned 
Turner's  good-looking  effeminate  features  and 
his  slight  trim  figure  in  its  woman's  costume. 
"  Say,  but  you  are  a  pretty  girl.  I  never  once 
suspected  you,  never." 

"  And  I'd  have  kept  you  fooled,"  retorted 
Turner,  "  except  for  you,"  addressing  Judith. 
"  You  were  one  too  many  for  me  with  those  cursed 
unseen  ears,"  and  he  cast  a  look  of  baffled  fury 
at  her  fan.  "  I  thought  you  were  practically  dead 
to  the  world  when  I  disconnected  that  blamed 
earphone  and  blindfolded  you." 
279 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  You  put  too  much  confidence  in  your  own 
cleverness,"  Judith  responded.  "  It  would  have 
been  wiser  if  you  and  your  confederate  had  ran- 
sacked Father's  safe  in  silence,  instead  of  discuss- 
ing your  desperate  need,  on  account  of  Austin's 
murder,  of  getting  away  —  and  thus  giving  me  a 
clew  to  your  identity." 

"  Who  is  your  confederate?  "  demanded  Fergu- 
son. A  scowl  was  his  only  answer.  "  Oh,  well, 
you'll  talk  more  later,"  with  significant  emphasis, 
"  in  the  Death  House." 

Turner's  face  was  distorted  with  rage.  "  To 
think  I'll  have  to  swing  for  that  hound,  Austin 
Hale !  "  he  stormed.  "  He  welshed  on  every  one, 
the  yellow  dog." 

"  What  was  your  motive  for  killing  him  ?  " 
asked  Robert  Hale,  recovering  from  his  stupefied 
surprise  at  the  course  of  events. 

Turner  looked  at  him  in  silence  for  a  minute, 
then  at  the  others  in  the  library.  Their  concen- 
trated regard  fanned  his  inordinate  vanity  and  — 
in  spite  of  Ferguson's  words,  the  Death  House 
seemed  remote. 

"  Why  did  I  kill  Austin  Hale  ?     Because  he  pen- 
etrated my  disguise."     He  paused,  then  continued 
more  rapidly.     "  It  must  have  been  shortly  before 
midnight  when  I  was  going  to  bed  —  every  one 
280 


Ru n  to  Cover 


else  had  retired  and  I  could  hear  Anna  and  the 
cook  snoring  in  their  rooms," —  Anna's  face  was 
a  study  as  she  glared  at  the  man  she  had  known 
as  "  Maud  " — "  and  I  supposed  I  had  locked  my 
bedroom  door.  I  was  shaving  —  had  to  do  it  at 
dead  of  night,"  he  interpolated,  "  when  in  the 
glass  I  saw  the  hall  door  open  a  little  way  and 
Austin  Hale  peered  into  the  room.  I  was  too 
paralyzed  to  turn  round  and  he  stared  at  my  re- 
flection in  the  glass,  then,  collecting  himself,  he 
softly  closed  the  door  and  silently  stole  away." 

No  one  cared  to  break  the  silence  as  Turner 
ceased  speaking,  a  second  more  and  he  had  re- 
sumed his  statement. 

"  I  wiped  the  shaving  lather  off  my  face, 
straightened  my  wig  and  crept  down  the  hall.  I 
heard  Austin  moving  about  in  his  room  and  I 
went  back,  but  I  could  not  stay  there.  I  don't 
know  now  what  brought  Austin  to  my  door  at 
that  hour,  unless  he  wanted  me  to  aid  him  in  see- 
ing Miss  Polly  Davis,  but  he  had  raised  the  devil 
in  me.  It  wouldn't  take  him  long  to  establish  my 
identity  and  then  would  follow  exposure,  and  that 
meant,  with  my  record,  doing  fully  fifteen  years 
in  the  penitentiary." 

"  Better  that  than  swinging  for  murder,"  com- 
mented Ferguson  dryly. 

281 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Not  as  I  felt  then,"  retorted  Turner.  "  My 
brain  was  on  fire  as  I  stole  downstairs  and  trailed 
him  to  the  library.  On  the  way  I  saw  Mr.  John 
Hale's  sword  cane  in  the  umbrella  stand.  I'd 
seen  him  open  it  once  or  twice  to  show  to  Miss 
Polly."  Ferguson  shot  a  look  at  Polly  and  John 
Hale.  They  had  drawn  close  to  each  other  and 
stood  listening  breathlessly  to  Turner's  story. 

"  So  some  one  beside  your  brother  knew  about 
your  sword  cane,  Mr.  Hale,"  Ferguson  remarked 
with  a  quizzical  smile,  and  John  Hale  nodded. 

"  Go  ahead,  Turner,"  he  said,  and  the  prisoner, 
with  a  resentful  glare  at  Detective  Ferguson, 
again  addressed  them,  confining  his  remarks  al- 
most exclusively  to  Judith. 

"  I  knew  how  to  work  the  spring  of  the  sword 
cane,  for  I  had  played  with  it  several  times  when 
Mr.  John  left  it  behind,  and  so  I  picked  up  the 
cane  on  Tuesday  night  and  stole  into  the  dining 
room."  In  spite  of  himself,  Turner's  voice  was 
not  quite  steady.  It  quivered  and  deepened  as  he 
lived  over  again  the  events  of  that  fateful  night. 

"  I  intended  to  peek  through  the  portieres  into 
the  library,  for  not  hearing  a  sound  in  there 
puzzled  me.  The  portieres  were  parted  a  wee  bit 
and  I  made  out  Miss  Judith  sitting  at  the  far 
-end  before  the  fireplace  with  her  back  partly 

282 


Run  to  Cover 


turned  toward  me.  Then  " —  his  voice  changed, 
holding  a  note  of  horror — "  Austin  Hale  loomed 
up  before  me,  right  under  the  sidelight.  I  could 
have  touched  his  shirt-bosom,  instead  —  My  God! 
I  lunged  and  the  sword  cane  struck  home." 

"  I  heard  Austin  fall,"  Turner  resumed  after 
a  tense  pause,  "  and  instinctively  tiptoed  to  the 
pantry  and  crouched  there  in  the  dark.  I  heard 
you  come  in,  Major,  and  Miss  Judith  call  to  you. 
Then  after  what  seemed  an  interminable  time  I 
crept  out  into  the  central  hall,  found  it  deserted, 
and  replaced  the  cane  in  the  umbrella  stand." 

"  Didn't  you  go  at  all  into  the  library  ?  "  de- 
manded Robert  Hale  harshly. 

"  Yes,  after  Miss  Polly  had  been  there."  He 
cast  a  vicious  look  in  the  girl's  direction.  "  I 
heard  some  one  sobbing  in  the  library  as  I  started 
to  leave  the  pantry  and  peeked  in  again  in  time 
to  see  you  wringing  your  hands  over  Austin's 
body  —  you  are  a  weak  sister  to  sob  over  the  man 
who  threatened  you  with  exposure." 

"  You  -  John  Hale  started  forward,  but 
Major  Richards'  tall  figure  blocked  him.  "  Get 
out  of  my  way,  I'll  throttle  that  fellow." 

"  Not  here,  you  won't,"  interposed  Ferguson. 
"  Keep  quiet,  Mr.  Hale,  until  Turner  completes 
his  confession." 

283 


The  Unseen  Ear 


"  Tell  him  to  speak  more  respectfully  of  Miss 
Davis  —  or  not  mention  her  at  all,"  thundered 
John  Hale. 

"  What  happened  next?  "  demanded  his  brother. 
"  Shut  up,  John,"  and  he  waved  him  back. 
"  What  did  Miss  Davis  do  next,  Turner?  " 

"  Cleared  out,"  succinctly,  "  first  taking  a  look 
at  the  sword  cane  standing  so  innocently  in  the 
umbrella  stand."  Turner's  chuckle  was  unpleas- 
ant, "  That  left  the  coast  clear  for  me  and  I 
slipped  into  the  library.  There  the  open  safe  at- 
tracted me,"  with  a  side-long  glance  at  Hale.  "  I 
had  picked  up  my  rubber  gloves,  used  in  my  house 
work,  when  in  the  pantry  and  I  put  'em  on.  The 
open  safe  was  too  good  a  chance  to  overlook,  but 
I  only  had  time  to  grab  a  few  bonds  and  a  mem- 
orandum which  Austin  had  been  looking  at  " —  a 
gasp  escaped  Mrs.  Hale  — "  then  I  beat  it  up  the 
back  stairs  to  my  room,  for  I  heard  some  one 
•coming  down.  I  guess  it  was  you,  Major." 

"  It  was,"  acknowledged  Richards.  He  cast  a 
hesitating  look  at  Judith  before  continuing.  "  I 
did  lose  my  way,  as  I  have  already  stated,  when 
walking  home,  and  I  entered  the  front  door  just 
in  time  to  catch  Judith  as  she  fainted.  I  imme- 
diately carried  her  upstairs  and  laid  her  on  the 
couch  in  our  boudoir.  I  had  some  cognac  there 

284 


Run  to  Cover 


and  quickly  revived  her."  He  paused  for  a 
second.  "  The  reading  lamp  was  burning  in  the 
boudoir  and  I  concluded  that  Judith  had  come 
downstairs  feeling  faint  and  in  search  of  some 
medicine  which,  I  recalled,  had  been  left  in  the 
library.  When  she  revived,  she  said  nothing  to 
me  about  having  gone  downstairs,  and  when  I 
asked  her  if  she  needed  her  medicine,  she  replied 
that  she  did." 

"  Please  wait,  Joe,"  Judith  interrupted  him 
quickly.  "  I  was  dazed  —  completely  unnerved. 
In  fact  I  had  at  the  time  no  recollection  of  "faint- 
ing in  the  hall.  I  thought,  until  you  questioned 
me  the  other  night,  that  you  had  found  me  uncon- 
scious in  the  boudoir,  so  I  never  mentioned  that 
after  Mother  and  Uncle  John  left  for  the  French 
Embassy  I  went  down  into  the  library  to  read  and 
wait  for  you,  Joe." 

"  Your  silence  confused  me,  puzzled  me," 
Richards  confessed.  "  In  fact  —  well,  you  will 
understand  when  I  tell  you  that  a  gold  locket  fell 
out  of  your  belt  when  I  unloosened  it.  As  I 
picked  up  the  locket  and  placed  it  by  your  side 
on  the  couch  I  saw  that  a  gold  link  fastened  to 
its  ring  had  been  forced  apart.  A  few  minutes 
later  I  went  into  the  library  and  discovered  Austin 
lying  dead  on  the  floor."  He  turned  to  Mrs. 
285 


The  Unseen  Ear 


Hale.  "  In  stating  that  I  did  not  know  Austin, 
I  told  the  truth,  but  I  had  seen  a  photograph  of 
him  that  morning  on  Judith's  dressing  table  and 
the  photograph  bore  his  autograph.  I  was  horri- 
fied at  rinding  his  dead  body,  and  that  horror  was 
intensified  when,  on  bending  closer,  I  discovered 
that  a  link  in  his  watch  chain  was  bent  and  twisted 
—  and  the  link  attached  to  the  locket  tucked  in 
Judith's  belt  had  come  unmistakably  from  that 
chain." 

"  Merciful  heavens!  "  Judith  gazed  at  him  in 
horror.  "  Then  you  thought  — " 

"  The  obvious,"  responded  Richards.  "  Your 
mother  had  told  me  that  there  had  been  a  boy  and 
girl  affair  between  you,  that  they  confidently  ex- 
pected an  engagement  on  your  return  from 
Japan  — " 

"  Mother!  "  Mrs.  Hale  quailed  under  Judith's 
anger. 

"  Upon  my  soul,  Judith,  you  need  not  take 
that  tone  with  me,"  she  objected.  "  The  first 
intimation  we  had  of  your  marriage  to  Joe  was  a 
cable  announcing  it.  A  nice  way  to  treat  parents 
who  had  indulged  every  whim." 

"  Need  we  go  into  that  again,  Mother?  "  pro- 
tested Judith. 

"  No ;  but  I  was  hurt,  deeply  hurt,  and  I  did 
286 


Run  to  Cover 


not  take  kindly  to  having  a  son-in-law  thrust  on 
us." 

"  And  so  you  took  it  out  on  him  by  repeating 
a  lot  of  nonsense,"  exclaimed  her  husband  indig- 
nantly. "  Well,  Richards,  I  suppose  you  con- 
cluded that  Judith  and  Austin  quarreled  and  she 
had  stabbed  him,  and  reached  the  hall  in  a  faint- 
ing condition  just  as  you  entered  the  house?" 

"  Exactly,  sir;  Judith's  silence  about  Austin  — 
for  that  she  had  seen  him  either  dead  or  alive  was 
proved  by  her  possession  of  the  locket,  led  me  to 
fear  a  frightful  tragedy,"  admitted  Richards. 
"  In  my  agony  of  mind  I  did  the  only  thing  that 
occurred  to  me,  I  took  the  watch  and  chain  out  of 
Austin's  vest  pocket  before  sending  for  the 
coroner,  for  I  knew  it  was  a  clew  the  police  would 
trace  to  the  bitter  end." 

"  But  why  did  you  send  the  watch  to  Jen- 
nings ? "  asked  Hale.  "  It  was  courting  dis- 
covery." 

"  As  it  turned  out,  yes ;  but  my  idea  was  that  if 
the  chain  was  repaired  no  one  would  suspect  a 
locket  had  been  wrenched  from  it,"  explained 
Richards.  "  Then  it  would  not  have  mattered 
where  the  watch  wras  found." 

Hale  shook  his  head.     "  You  laid  yourself  open 
to  grave  suspicion,"  he  said.     "  I  now  understand 
287 


The  Unseen  Ear 


your  actions  and  your  constrained  manner,  but  — " 
He  stopped.  "  I  missed  a  playing  card  out  of  my 
.'solitaire  pack  several  days  ago,  a  Knave  of  Hearts. 
to  be  exact,  on  which  I  had  scratched  the  com- 
bination of  my  safe." 

""Robert!"  The  ejaculation  came  from  Mrs. 
Hale  and  her  husband  turned  to  her  testily. 

"  I  am  troubled  with  amnesia,"  he  said.  "  It 
is  just  a  touch,  but  I  am  sensitive  about  having 
it  known  or  suspected,  and  so  occasionally  I  jot 
down  figures  and  numbers.  I  play  solitaire  so 
continuously  that  I  am  never  without  the  safe- 
combination  ;  but  on  Friday  I  missed  the  card  and 
the  next  day  asked  Maud,  or  shall  we  say  Jim 
'Turner," —  and  he  indicated  the  pseudo-maid  — 
""if  she  had  seen  the  card.  She  brought  it  to  me 
later,  stating  that  she  had  found  it  on  your 
dresser,  Richards,  and  it  led  me  to  believe  that 
you  had  a  hand  in  Austin's  murder." 

"  Is  that  why  you  put  a  dictograph  in  our 
boudoir  ?  "  asked  Richards. 

"  Yes,"  Hale  admitted.  "  I  went  to  the  Bur- 
roughs Agency,  explained  my  suspicions,  and  they 
installed  it." 

Polly  Davis  broke  her  long  silence.     "  I  heard 
you  talking  to  Mr.  Burroughs,"  she  explained. 
"  I  went  to  the  detective  agency  to  ask  them  to 
288 


Run  to  Cover 


undertake  an  investigation  for  me,  but  your  pres- 
ence, Mr.  Hale,  frightened  me  away."  She 
paused  and  looked  at  Judith  and  her  father. 
"  From  having  seen  you  on  the  stairs  Tuesday 
night,  Mr.  Hale,  I  began  to  suspect  that  you  might 
have  killed  Austin.  I  knew  that  you  and  he  had 
often  quarreled  in  the  past — " 

"  How  about  John's  scenes  with  his  stepson?  " 
inquired  Hale  dryly,  and  Polly  changed  color, 
but  she  ignored  his  question  as  she  went  bravely 
on. 

"  Your  offer  to  increase  my  salary  and  your  un- 
solicited loan,  Judith,  increased  my  suspicion," 
she  stated.  "  I  thought  that  you  were  trying  to 
bribe  me.  Then  your  threat  about  the  locket  — " 

"What  was  in  the  locket?"  asked  Richards 
and  his  father-in-law  simultaneously. 

Polly  looked  swiftly  at  John  Hale  and  then 
away.  She  was  deadly  white. 

"  Last  week,"  she  began,  "  I  had  a  letter  from 
Austin  in  which  he  said  that  rumors  had  reached 
him  of  my  infatuation  for  " —  she  stammered, 
then  went  bravely  on  — "  for  his  stepfather,  that 
if  I  permitted  John  to  make  love  to  me  he  would 
show  him  a  letter  I  had  written.  It  was  a  piece 
of  sheer  folly,  but" — her  voice  trembled — "the 
letter  was  compromising.  Austin  stated  that  he 
289 


The  Unseen  Ear 


kept  the  letter  in  a  locket  I  had  given  him  and 
would  bring  them  both  to  Washington." 

"What  followed?"  asked  Mrs.  Hale,  more 
absorbed  in  Polly's  tale  than  in  all  else. 

"  I  wrote  Austin  that  I  did  not  fear  his  threat 
and  broke  our  engagement."  The  girl  paused. 
"  I  have  already  told  you  that  Austin  wired  he 
would  be  here  Tuesday  night.  I  heard  that  Mrs. 
Hale  and  John  were  going  to  the  French  Embassy, 
I  knew  that  Mr.  Hale  was  ill  in  bed,  and  so  I 
came  here  that  night  on  impulse,  trusting  to 
chance  to  see  Austin  alone  and  persuade  him  to 
destroy  the  letter.  The  murderer,"  she  shuddered, 
"  has  testified  that  I  entered  the  house  after  he 
had  killed  Austin."  She  turned  abruptly  to 
Judith.  "  What  was  your  object  in  taking  the 
locket?" 

"  My  desire  to  shield  you,"  Judith  answered. 
"  Austin  wrote  me  at  the  same  time  he  did  you, 
telling  of  the  existence  of  such  a  letter,  and  that 
he  carried  it  in  a  locket  to  have  it  in  instant  readi- 
ness. I  had  no  idea  that  he  would  be  here  Tues- 
day night,  and  when  I  found  his  body  as  I  started 
to  leave  the  library,  I  jumped  to  the  conclusion, 
Polly,  that  you  had  killed  him  and  in  terror  had 
run  away  without  securing  the  locket." 

"  Would  it  not  have  been  easier  for  you  to  have 
290 


Run  to  Cover 


taken  the  watch  and  chain  as  well  ? "  asked 
Richards. 

"  I  feared  that  if  the  watch  were  missing  search 
would  be  made  for  it,"  she  explained. 
"  Whereas,  if  only  Polly  and  I  knew  about  the 
locket  it  would  not  be  missed.  I  had  Polly's 
shears  in  my  sewing  bag,  having  picked  them  up 
when  in  Father's  den  early  Tuesday  afternoon. 
I  dropped  them  after  securing  the  locket,  and 
aftenvards  came  down  into  the  library  to  get  them 
and  found  Joe  talking  to  Coroner  Penfield  and 
Mr.  Ferguson." 

"  Polly," —  Robert  Hale's  sudden  pronounce- 
ment of  her  name  made  the  girl  start  nervously  — 
"  why  did  you  supply  Austin  with  the  combination 
of  my  safe?  " 

"  I  did  not  give  it  to  him,"  she  denied  indig- 
nantly. 

"  Indeed  ?  Then  why  did  you  write  this  cryp- 
tic message,  '  Saw  Austin-iot-b-53-76c,'  over 
and  over  on  a  page  of  copied  manuscript?  "  and 
Hale  held  out  the  sheet  he  had  shown  his  brother 
earlier  that  day. 

Polly  stared  at  it.     "  My  mind  was  far  from  my 

work,"  she  stammered.     "  I  wrote  mechanically 

on  the  typewriter  any  silly  sentences  that  came  into 

my  head.     I   did   know  your   safe-combination, 

291 


The  Unseen  Ear 


for  you  had  me  write  it  down  for  you  once  and 
the  figures  dwelt  in  my  memory ;  but  indeed  I  did 
not  repeat  them  to  Austin." 

"  You  did  not  need  to,"  broke  in  Mrs.  Hale. 
"  I  had  Austin  once  open  the  safe  for  me,  Robert, 
in  your  absence.  I  needed  my  jewelry,  and  I 
supposed  he  remembered  the  combination  or — ' 

"  Or  jotted  it  down  for  future  use,"  Turner 
interrupted  her  brusquely.  "  I  found  a  soiled 
bit  of  paper  with  several  numbers  torn  off  on 
Austin's  bureau  when  I  slipped  in  his  bedroom 
on  my  way  to  bed.  He  must  have  refreshed  his 
memory  before  going  down  to  the  library  by 
studying  the  paper." 

"What  was  he  searching  for  in  the  safe?" 
asked  Hale. 

"  I  know,"  volunteered  Mrs.  Hale.  She  stared 
anywhere  but  at  her  husband.  "  Austin  had  very 
wheedling  ways,  and  sometimes  when  he  was  hard 
pressed  for  money,  he  persuaded  me  to  lend  it  to 
him." 

"  Agatha ! " 

"  I  know,  Robert,  it  was  foolish."  Mrs.  Hale's 
voice  trembled  with  a  suspicion  of  tears.  "  The 
sum  finally  totaled  four  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  eighty-two  dollars." 

"  Good  Lord !  "  and  Hale  eyed  her  in  dismay. 
292 


Run  to  Cover 


"  I  had  his  memorandum  of  his  indebtedness," 
she  went  on,  paying  no  attention  to  her  husband. 
"  I  wrote  reminding  him  of  it,  and  that  I  had 
placed  it  in  your  safe  intending  to  show  it  to 
you,  Robert — "  Hale  groaned  dismally  and  his 
wife  burst  into  tears.  "  I  dared  not  ask  out- 
right about  the  memorandum  as  I  feared  it  might 
be  suspected  that  Austin  and  I  had  quarreled  over 
it." 

Judith  broke  in  upon  any  reproaches  her  father 
might  have  made. 

"  It  was  to  solve  Austin's  reason  for  opening 
your  safe,  Father,  that  caused  me  to  search  it 
this  afternoon  in  hopes  of  rinding  a  clew,"  she 
said. 

"Where  did  you  get  the  combination?" 

"  From  your  playing  card,"  she  explained.  "  I 
knew  your  absent-minded  habits  and  recalled  see- 
ing some  pin  scratches  on  the  Knave  of  Hearts 
which,  by  the  way,  I  picked  up  in  this  library 
Friday  night  and  later  placed  on  top  of  my  hus- 
band's pack,  thinking,  as  the  back  of  the  cards 
were  similar,  it  belonged  to  him.  So  this  after- 
noon after  Dr.  McLane  left  I  could  not  rest,  the 
card  recurred  to  me,  and  I  searched  my  husband's 
pack.  Not  rinding  it,  I  went  to  your  den  and  dis- 
covered it  among  your  papers.  I  had  just  opened 
293 


The  Unseen  Ear 


the  safe  when  Maud  " —  catching  herself  up  — 
"  that  man,  blindfolded  me." 

"  And  what  induced  you  to  tempt  providence 
again,  Turner?"  demanded  Ferguson  turning  to 
his  prisoner.  "  You  might  have  escaped  detec- 
tion but  for  that." 

"  Perhaps,"  was  the  sullen  answer.  "  I  knew 
Mr.  Hale  had  deposited  negotiable  bonds  and  a 
large  sum  of  money  there  over  Sunday  — " 

Judith  interrupted  him  with  an  exclamation. 
"  Did  you  steal  my  Valve  bonds  on  Tuesday 
night?" 

Turner  nodded.  "  It  was  all  I  did  get."  His 
bitter  chuckle  was  brief.  "  I  was  well  scared 
after  the  murder  but  I  dared  not  bolt  for  fear 
of  centering  suspicion  upon  me,  and  then  I  had 
no  money.  I  nosed  around  everywhere  looking 
for  something  I  could  steal  to  raise  ready  cash. 
I  was  afraid  to  dispose  of  Miss  Judith's  bonds 
because  it  might  have  been  traced  to  me.  In  my 
search  I  found  Miss  Polly  had  brought  some 
bonds  in  an  envelope  and  when  she  was  with  Mrs. 
Hale  I  sneaked  it  out." 

"  You  did  ?  "  Polly  looked  at  him  in  round- 
eyed  surprise.  "  But  I  found  the  bonds  there." 

"  Sure  you  did,"  again  Turner  chuckled,  "  but 
they  weren't  your  Valve  bonds,  but  Miss  Judith's. 
294 


Run  to  Cover 


I  noticed  they  were  the  same,  so  I  substituted 
hers  in  your  envelope,  knowing  that  I  could  sell 
yours  without  danger  of  the  numbers'  being  traced 
to  Austin's  murder." 

"  But  —  but,"  Polly  turned  in  perplexity  to 
Richards.  "  Then  the  Valve  bonds  I  asked  you 
to  sell  for  me  Friday  afternoon  were  Judith's?  " 

"  Yes,  evidently/'  Richards  addressed  Frank 
Latimer.  "  I  gave  Miss  Polly  my  check  for  her 
bonds  before  going  to  your  brokerage  office  where 
I  sold  the  bonds  to  you  and  put  up  the  cash  to 
cover  my  margins  with  you."  Before  the  stock- 
broker could  answer  him,  Richards  looked  at  Polly 
searchingly.  "  Tell  us,  Miss  Polly,  how  you  con- 
trived to  steal  the  jewelry  out  of  Judith's  bed- 
room last  night  when  she  and  I  were  sitting  in 
the  boudoir  —  the  only  entrance  to  the  inner 
room?  " 

The  girl  was  slow  in  answering.  "  After 
Judith  left  me  last  night,  I  was  desperate,"  she 
admitted  finally.  "  I  feared  the  locket  would  be 
used  to  entangle  me  in  the  murder,  if  not  convict 
me  of  the  crime,  and  I  decided  to  steal  it  at  all 
costs.  I  took  all  your  jewelry  —  which,  by  the 
way,  has  been  mailed  back  to  you  registered  post, 
Judith  —  thinking  that  the  theft  would  then  be 
attributed  to  an  ordinary  sneak  thief.  As  to 
295 


The  Unseen  Ear 


how  I  passed  you  unobserved  in  entering  your 
bedroom  " —  for  the  first  time  Polly  smiled  — 
"  some  scientific  detectives  would  describe  it  as 
a  case  of  psychological  invisibility,  where  the 
physical  eye  sees,  but  the  brain  fails  to  record  the 
eye's  message,  but  " —  again  she  smiled  — "  you 
and  Major  Richards  were  so  absorbed  in  each 
other  that  you  never  noticed  me  when  I  slipped 
through  the  boudoir  and  out  again." 

A  rich  color  suffused  Judith's  cheeks.  "  Did 
the  locket  contain  your  letter,  Polly?  "  she  asked. 
"Or  was  Austin's  threat  an  idle  one?  I'1 — 
with  a  quick  proud  lift  of  her  head  — "  never  ex- 
amined the  locket." 

Polly  opened  her  hand  bag  to  which  she  had 
clung  ever  since  entering  the  library,  and  took  out 
the  locket.  She  held  it  up  that  all  might  see  the 
slightly  raised  lettering  of  the  word  "Mizpah," 
then  without  a  word  she  pressed  a  spring  and 
from  the  locket  took  a  many  folded  thin  sheet  of 
note  paper.  She  spread  it  open  and  laid  it  in 
John  Hale's  hand. 

"  This  is  a  letter  of  a  foolish,  indiscreet  girl, 
longing  for  a  little  attention,  a  little  of  this 
world's  fun,"  she  said  soberly.  "  I  was  caught 
by  the  dross,  and  it  was  not  until  I  grew  to  know 
you,  John,  that  I  found  pure  gold." 
296 


Run  to  Cover 


John  Hale  looked  at  her  and  then  at  the  letter. 

"  Austin  telephoned  me  from  New  York  to  meet 
him  here  on  Tuesday  at  midnight  and  to  say 
nothing  to  any  one  of  his  expected  arrival,"  he 
stated.  "  He  intimated  that  he  had  an  important 
disclosure  to  make  about  you.  I  left  Agatha  at 
the  French  Embassy,  and  I  had  just  reached  the 
corner  when  I  saw  you,  Polly,  dash  down  the  steps 
and  go  up  the  street.  I  started  to  overtake  you, 
then  turned  back.  I  could  not  make  up  my  mind 
to  face  Austin  then,  for  I  knew  I  would  kill 
him,"  John's  hands  clenched  and  unclenched 
spasmodically.  "  Finally,  I  returned  to  the  Em- 
bassy for  Agatha  and  when  we  walked  in  here  I 
was  confronted  with  Austin's  dead  body.  I  im- 
agined you  had  seen  him,  Polly,  and  goaded  by 
threats  had  stabbed  him,  for  I  recognized  the 
shears  as  ones  I  had  seen  on  your  desk  in  Robert's 
den." 

John  stopped  speaking  and  looked  down  at  the 
letter  still  clutched  in  his  extended  hand,  then 
striding  swiftly  to  the  fireplace  he  threw  the  un- 
read letter  on  the  blazing  wood.  As  it  ignited 
and  flared  into  a  blaze,  he  turned  with  out- 
stretched hands  to  Polly  who  had  watched  him 
in  an  agony  of  suspense. 

"  Polly,"  he  began,  and  his  voice  quivered  with 
297 


emotion,    "  will    you    take    me,    for   better,    for 
worse  ?  " 

Polly's  eyes  were  blinded  with  tears,  but  wink- 
ing them  away,  she  looked  bravely  up  at  him. 

"Will  you  take  a  repentant,  adoring  fool?" 
she  asked,  and  John  Hale's  low  cry  of  happiness 
found  echo  in  her  heart  as,  regardless  of  the 
others,  he  slipped  his  arm  about  her  and  led  her 
from  the  library. 

Mrs.  Hale  watched  the  lovers  disappear,  and 
with  mixed  feelings,  searched  hastily  for  a  dry 
handkerchief.  But  all  she  dragged  to  light  out 
of  her  bag  was  a  half  sheet  of  note  paper. 

"  Bless  me !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  Here's  that 
note  from  Austin  to  me  saying  he  was  going  to 
San  Francisco  —  what  did  you  do  with  the  last 
page,  my  dear?"  turning  to  Judith. 

"  The  last  page  ?  "  echoed  Judith ;  she  looked 
as  puzzled  as  she  felt,  and  Jim  Turner  answered 
the  question  for  her. 

"  I  found  that  paper  in  Austin's  bedroom,  also," 
he  volunteered.  "  It  was  just  the  half-sheet. 
Why  he  brought  it  with  him  I  don't  know,  but 
anyway  I  thought  it  a  good  plant  and  slipped  the 
page  in  the  pocket  of  Miss  Judith's  electric,  know- 
ing some  one  would  find  it."  He  turned  to  Mrs. 
Hale  who  had  moved  a  trifle  nearer.  "  I  have 
298 


Run  to  Cover 


your  memorandum  of  Austin's  indebtedness  to 
you ;  I  kept  it  for  blackmailing  purposes,  but  " — 
he  stopped  abruptly,  conscious  that  his  voice  was 
a  bit  shaky. 

"  How'd  you  happen  to  disguise  yourself  as  a 
woman?"  asked  Ferguson. 

"  I  used  to  play  in  amateur  theatricals,  and  on 
account  of  my  small  size,  effeminate  appearance 
and  voice  was  generally  cast  for  a  girl's  part," 
Turner  explained.  "  I  had  to  lay  low  after  that 
Shield's  affair  —  it  meant  fifteen  years  in  the 
'pen  '  if  caught.  Well," — with  his  free  hand  he 
dashed  away  the  moisture  which  had  gathered  on 
his  forehead  and  felt  his  closely  shaven  head  — 
"  I'd  rather  be  hung  than  endure  a  living  death. 
Come  on,  Ferguson,"  and  without  a  backward 
glance  he  departed  in  charge  of  the  detective. 

Mrs.  Hale  dropped  down  on  the  divan  and  her 
expression  caused  her  husband  to  hurry  to  her 
side. 

"Are  you  going  to  faint,  Agatha?"  he  asked 
anxiously. 

She  looked  at  him  vacantly  before  answering. 

"  I  don't  know,"  she  said,  "  how  I  shall  ever 
get  over  having  my  confidential  maid  turn  out 
to  be  a  man,"  and  a  burst  of  tears  relieved  her 
overcharged  feelings. 

299 


The  Unseen  Ear 


Richards  left  husband  and  wife  together  and 
turned  to  speak  to  Judith,  only  to  find  her  gone. 
A  look  in  the  dining  room  showed  that  she  was  not 
there,  and  racing  upstairs  two  steps  at  a  time, 
he  dashed  into  their  boudoir.  Judith  turned  from 
the  fireplace  and  looked  at  him  inquiringly. 

"  Judith,"  his  pent-up  worship  of  her  spoke  in 
eye  and  voice,  "  what  can  I  say  to  you,  my  darling, 
my  best  beloved?  Your  faith,  your  loyalty  - 

"  Are  surpassed  by  yours,"  she  answered 
softly,  "  dear  heart  of  mine." 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 
A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 


Adventures  of  Jimmie  Dale,  The.    By  Frank  L.  Packard. 

Adventures  of  Sherlock  Holmes.    By  A.  Conan  Doyle. 

Affinities,  and  Other  Stories.    By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 

After  House,  The.    By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 

Against  the  Winds.    By  Kate  Jordan. 

Ailsa  Paige.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Also  Ran.    By  Mrs.  Baillie  Reynolds. 

Amateur  Gentleman,  The.    By  Jeffery  Farnol. 

Anderson  Crow,  Detective.    By   George   Barr  MoCutcheon. 

Anna,  the  Adventuress.     By   E.   Phillips   Oppenheim. 

Anne's  House  of  Dreams.    By  L.   M.   Montgomery. 

Anybody  But  Anne,    By  Carolyn  Wells. 

Are  All  Men  Alike,  and  The  Lost  Titian.    By  Arthur  Stringei; 

Around  Old  Chester.    By  Margaret   Deland. 

Ashton-Kirk,  Criminologist.    By  John  T.  Mclntyre. 

Ashton-Kirk,    Investigator.    By   John    T.    Mclntyre. 

Ashton-Kirk,  Secret  Agent.     By  John  T.  Mclntyre. 

Ashton-Kirk,  Special  Detective.     By  John  T.  Mclntyre. 

Athalie.     By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

At  the  Mercy  of  Tiberius.    By  Augusta  Evans  Wilson, 

Auction  Block,  The.     By  Rex  Beach. 

Aunt  Jane  of  Kentucky.    By  Eliza  C.  Hall. 

Awakening  of  Helena  Richie.    By  Margaret  Deland. 

Bab:  a  Sub-Deb.    By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart 

BambL    By  Marjorie  Benton  Cooke. 

Barbarians.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers'. 

Bar  20.    By  Clarence  E.  Mulford. 

Bar  20  Days,    By  Clarence  E.  Mulford, 

Barrier,  The.     By  Rex  Beach. 

Bars  of  Iron,  The.    By  Ethel  M.  Dell. 

Beasts  of  Tarzan,  The.    By  Edgar  Rice  Burroughs* 

Beckoning  Roads.     By  Jeanne  Judson. 

Belonging.     By  Olive  Wadsley. 

Beloved  Traitor,  The.     By  Frank  L.  Packard. 

Beloved  Vagabond,  The.     By  Wm.  J.  Locke. 

Beltane  the  Smith.    By  Jeffery  Farnol. 

Betrayal,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim, 

Beulah,   (111.  Ed.)    By  Augusta  J.  Evans. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 
A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 

Beyond  the  Frontier.    By  Randall  Parrish. 

Big  Timber.    By  Bertrand  W.  Sinclair. 

Black  Bartlemy's  Treasure.     By  Jeffery  Farnol. 

Black  Is  White.     By  George  Barr  McCutcheon. 

Blackshecp!    Blacksheep!.    By  Meredith  Nicholson. 

Blind  Man's  Eye*,  The.     By   Wm.   Mac   Harg  and   Edwin 

Balmer. 

Boardwalk,  The.     By  Margaret  Widdemer. 
Bob  Hampton  of  Placer.    By  Randall  Parrish. 
Bob,  Son  of  Battle.    By  Alfred  Olivant. 
Box  With  Broken  Seals,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim, 
Boy  With  Wings,  The.    By  Berta  Ruck. 
Brandon  of  the  Engineers.    By  Harold  Bindloss. 
Bridge  of  Kisses,  The.    By  Berta  Ruck. 
Broad  Highway,  The.    By  Jeffery  Farnol. 
Broadway  Bab.     By  Johnston  McCulley. 
Brown  Study,  The.     By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 
Bruce  of  the  Circle  A.     By  Harold  Titus. 
(Buccaneer  Farmer,  The.    By  Harold  Bindloss. 
Buck  Peters,  Ranchman).    By  Clarence  E.  Mulford. 
Builders,  The.    By  Ellen  Glasgow. 
Business  of  Life,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Cab  of  Ac  Sleeping  Horse,  The.    By  John  Reed  Scott 

Cabbage  and  Kings.    By  O.  Henry. 

Cabin  Fever.    By  B.  M.  Bower. 

Calling  of  Dan  Matthews,  The.    By  Harold  Bell  Wright, 

Cape  Cod  Stories.     By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Cap'n  Abe,  Storekeeper.    By  James  A.  Cooper. 

Cap'n  Dan's  Daughter.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Cap'n  ErI.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Cap'n  Jonah's  Fortune.    By  James  A.  Cooper. 

Cap'n  Warren's  Wards.    By  Joseph  'C.  Lincoln. 

Chinese  Label,  The.    By  J.  Frank  Davis. 

Christine  of  the  Young  Heart.  By  Louise  Breintenbach  Clancy. 

Cinderella  Jane.    By  Marjorie  B.  Cooke. 

Cinema  Murder,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

City  of  Masks,  The.    By  George  Barr  McCutcheon. 

Cleek  of  Scotland  Yard.    By  T.  W.  Hanshew. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

*AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 

A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 

deck,  The  Man  of  Forty  Faces.    By  Thomas  W.  Hanshew. 

deck's  Government  Cases.     By  Thomas  W.  Hanshew. 

Clipped  Wings.    By  Rupert  Hughes. 

Clutch  of  Circumstance,  The.    By  Marjorie  Benton  Cooke. 

Coast  of  Adventure,  The.     By  Harold  Bindloss. 

Come-Back,  The.    By  Carolyn  Wells. 

Coming  of  Cassidy,  The.    By  Clarence  E.  Mulford. 

Coming  of  the  Law,  The.     By  Charles  A.  Seltzer. 

Comrades  of  Peril.     By  Randall  Parrish. 

Conquest  of  Canaan,  The.     By  Booth  Tarkington. 

Conspirators,  The.     By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Contraband.    By  Randall  Parrish. 

Cottage  of  Delight,  The.    By  Will  N.  Harben. 

Court  of  Inquiry,  A.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Cricket,  The.     By  Marjorie  Benton  Cooke. 

Crimson  Gardenia,  The,  and  Other  Tales  of  Adventure. 

Rex  Beach. 

Crimson  Tide,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 
Cross  Currents.     By  Author  of  "Pollyanna." 
Cross  Pull,  The.     By  Hal.  G.  Evarts. 
Cry  in  the  Wilderness,  A.    By  Mary  E.  Waller. 
Cry  of  Youth,  A.     By  Cynthia  Lombardi. 
Cup  of  Fury,  The.    By  Rupeit  Hughes. 
Curious  Quest,  The.    By  E,  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Danger  and  Other  Stories.    By  A.  Conan  Doyle. 
Dark  Hollow,  The.    By  Anna  Katharine  Green. 
Dark  Star,  The.     By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 
Daughter  Pays,  The.     By  Mrs.  Baillie  Reynolds. 
Day  of  Days,  The.    By  Louis  Joseph  Vance. 
Depot  Master,  The.     By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 
Destroying  Angel,  The.    By  Louis  Joseph  Vance. 
Devil's  Own,  The.    By  Randall  Parrish. 
Devil's  Paw,  Th^,    By  E.  Phiinps  Oppenheim. 
Disturbing  Charm,  The.     By  Berta  Ruck. 
Door  of  Dread,  The.    By  Arthur  Stringer. 
Dope.    By  Sax  Rohmer. 

Double  Traitor,  The.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 
Duds.    By  Henry  C.  Rowland. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

TAT  MODERATE  PRICES 

!Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 
A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 

Empty  Pockets.    By  Rupert  Hughes. 
Erskine  Dale  Pioneer.    By  John  Fox,  Jr. 
Everyman's  Land.    By  C.  N.  &  A.  M.  Williamson. 
Extricating  Obadiah.     By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 
Eyes  of  the  Blind,  The.    By  Arthur  Somers  Roche. 
Eyes  of  the  World,  The.    By  Harold  Bell  Wright. 
i 

Fairfax  and  His  Pride.    By  Marie  Van  Vorst, 

Felix  O'Day.    By  F.  Hopkinson  Smith. 

54-40  or  Fight     By  Emerson  Hough. 

Fighting  Chance,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Fighting  Fool,  The.    By  Dane  Coolidge. 

Fighting  Shepherdess,  The.    By  Caroline  Lockhart, 

Financier,  The.     By  Theodore  Dreiser. 

Find  the  Woman.    By  Arthur  Somers  Roche. 

First  Sir  Percy,  The.    By  The  Baroness  Orczy, 

Flame,  The.    By  Olive  Wadsley. 

For  Better,  for  Worse.    By  W.  B.  Maxwell. 

Forbidden  Trail,  The.    By  Honore  Willsie. 

Forfeit,  The.     By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Fortieth  Door,  The.    By  Mary  Hastings  Bradley, 

Four  Million,  The.    By  O.  Henry. 

From  Now  On.    By  Frank  L.  Packard. 

Fur  Bringers,  The.    By  Hulbert  Footner. 

Further  Adventures  of  Jimmie  Dale.    By  Frank  L.  Packard 

Get  Your  Man.    By  Ethel  and  James  Dorrance. 

Girl  in  the  Mirror,  The.    By  Elizabeth  Jordan. 

Girl  of  O.  K.  Valley,  The.    By  Robert  Watson. 

Girl  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  A.  By  Payne  Erskine. 

Girl  from  Keller's,  The.    By  Harold  Bindloss. 

Girl  Philippa,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Girls  at  His  Billet,  The.    By  Berta  Ruck. 

Glory  Rides  the  Range.    By  Ethel  and  James  Borrance. 

Gloved  Hand,  The.    By  Burton  E.  Stevenson. 

God's  Country  and  the  Woman.    By  James  Oliver  Curwood, 

God's  Good  Man.    By  Marie  Corelli. 

Going  Some.    By  Rex  Beach. 

Gold  Girl,  The.    By  James  B.  Hen'dryx. 

Golden  Scorpion,  The.    By  Sax  Rohmer. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 

A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 


Golden  Slipper,  The.    By  Anna  Katharine  Green. 

Golden  Woman,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Good  References.    By  E.  J.  Rath. 

Gorgeous  Girl,  The.     By  Nalbro  Bartley. 

Gray  Angels,  The.     By  Nalbro  Bartley. 

Great  Impersonation,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim, 

Greater  Love  Hath  No  Man.    By  Frank  L.  Packard. 

Green  Eyes  of  Bast,  The.     By  Sax  Rohmer. 

Greyfriars  Bobby.     By  Eleanor  Atkinson. 

Gun  Brand,  The.    By  James  B.  Hendryx. 

Hand  of  Fu-Manchu,  The.    By  Sax  Rohmer. 

Happy  House.     By  Baroness  Von  Hutten. 

Harbor  Road,  The.    By  Sara  Ware  Bassett. 

Havoc.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Heart  of  the  Desert,  The;    By  Honore  Willsie. 

Heart  of  the  Hills,  The.     By  John  Fox,  Jr. 

Heart  of  the  Sunset     By  Rex  Beach. 

Heart  of  Thunder  Mountain,  The.    By  Edfrid  A.  Bingham. 

Heart  of  Unaga,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Hidden  Children,  The.     By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Hidden  Trails.    By  William  Patterson  White. 

Highflyers,  The.    By  Clarence  B.  Kelland. 

Hillman,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Hills  of  Refuge,  The.    By  Will  N.  Harben. 

His  Last  Bow.     By  A.  Conan  Doyle. 

His  Official  Fiancee.    By  Berta  Ruck. 

Honor  of  the  Big  Snows.    By  James  Oliver  Curwood. 

Hopalong  Cassidy.     By  Clarence  E.  Mulford. 

Hound  from  the  North,  The.     By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

House  of  the  Whispering  Pines,  The.     By  Anna  Katharine 

Green. 

Hugh  Wynne,  Free  Quaker.    By  S.  Weir  Mitchell,  M.D. 
Humoresque.     By  Fannie  Hurst. 

I  Conquered.    By  Harold  Titus. 
Illustrious  Prince,  The.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 
In  Another  Girl's  Shoes.    By  Berta  Ruck. 
Indifference  of  Juliet,  The.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 
Inez.    (I1L  Ed.)    By  Augusta  J.  Evans. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 


MODERATE  PRICES 
Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 
A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 

Infelice.     By  Augusta  Evans  Wilson. 

Initials  Only.    By  Anna  Katharine  Green. 

Inner  Law,  The.    By  Will  N.  Harben. 

Innocent.     By  Marie  Corelli. 

In  Red  and  Gold.    By  Samuel  Merwin. 

Insidious  Dr.  Fu-Manchu,  The.    By  Sax  Rohmer, 

In  the  Brooding  Wild.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Intriguers,  The.     By  William  Le  Queux. 

Iron  Furrow,  The.    By  George  C.  Shedd. 

Iron  Trail,  The.    By  Rex  Beach. 

Iron  Woman,  The.    By  Margaret  Deland. 

Ishmael  (111.)     By  Mrs.  South  worth. 

Island  of  Surprise.    By  Cyrus  Townsend  Brady. 

I  Spy.    By  Natalie  Sumner  Linclon. 

It  Pays  to  Smile.     By  Nina  Wilcox  Putnam. 

I've  Married  Marjorie,    By  Margaret  Widdemer. 

Jean  of  the  Lazy  A.    By  B.  M.  Bower. 

Jeanne  of  the  Marshes.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim, 

Jennie  Gerhardt.    By  Theodore  Dreiser. 

Johnny  Nelson.    By  Clarence  E.  Mulford. 

Judgment  House,  The.    By  Gilbert  Parker. 

Keeper  of  the  Door,  The.    By  Ethel  M.  DelL 

Keith  of  the  Border.     By  Randall  Parrish. 

Kent  Knowles:  Quahaug.     By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Kingdom  of  the  Blind,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

King  Spruce.    By  Holman  Day. 

Knave  of  Diamonds,  The.    By  Ethel  M.  Dell. 

Lg  Chance  Mine  Mystery,  The.    By  S.  Carleton. 
Lady  Doc,  The.    By  Caroline  Lockhart. 
Land-Girl's  Love  Story.  A.    By  Berta  Ruck. 
Land  of  Strong  Men,  The.    By  A.  M.  Chisholm. 
Last  Straw,  The.    By  Harold  Titus. 
Last  Trail.  The.    By  Zane  Grey. 
Laughing  Bill  Hyde.    By  Rex  Beach. 
Laughing  Girl,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 
Law  Breakers,  The.     By  Ridgwell   Cullum. 
Law  of  the  Gun,  The.    By  Rjdgwell  'Cullum. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 
A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 

League  of  the  Scarlet  Pimpernel.    By  Baroness  Orczy. 

Lifted  Veil,  The.     By  Basil  King. 

Lighted  Way,  The.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Lin  McLean.    By  Owen  Wister. 

Little  Moment  of  Happiness,  The.     By  Clarence  Budington 

Kelland. 

Lion's  Mouse,  The.    By  C.  N.  &  A.  M.  Williamson. 
Lonesome  Land.    By  B.  M.  Bower. 
Lone  Wolf,  The.     By  Louis  Joseph  Vance. 
Lonely  Stronghold,  The.     By  Mrs.  Baillie  Reynolds. 
Long  Live  the  King.     By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 
Lost  Ambassador.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 
Lost  Prince,  The.    By  Frances  Hodgson  Burnett. 
Lydia  of  the  Pines.     By  Honore  Willsie. 
Lynch  Lawyers.    By  William  Patterson  White. 

Macaria.    (111.  Ed.)     By  Augusta  J.  Evans. 

Maid  of  the  Forest,  The.    By  Randall  Parrish. 

Maid  of  Mirabelle,  The.    By  Eliot  H.  Robinson. 

Maid  of  the  Whispering  Hills,  The.    By  Vingie  E.  Ro«. 

Major,  The.    By  Ralph  Connor. 

Maker  of  History,  A.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Malefactor,  The.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Man  from  Bar  20,  The.     By  Clarence  E.  Mulford. 

Man  from  Bitter  Roots,  The.    By  Caroline  Lockhart. 

Man  from  Tall  Timber,  The.    By  Thomas  K.  Holmes. 

Man  in  the  Jury  Box,  The.    By  Robert  Orr  Chipperfield. 

Man-Killers,  The.     By  Dane  Coolidge. 

Man  Proposes.     By  Eliot  H.  Robinson,  author  of  "Smiles." 

Man  Trail,  The.     By  Henry  Oyen. 

Man  Who  Couldn't  Sleep,  The.     By  Arthur  Stringer. 

Marqueray's  Duel.    By  Anthony  Pryde. 

Mary  'Gusta.     By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Mary  Wollaston.    By  Henry  Kitchell  Webster. 

Mason  of  Bar  X  Ranch,    By  E.  Bennett. 

Master  Christian,  The.    By  Marie  Corelli. 

Master  Mummer,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Memoirs  of  Sherlock  Holmes.     By  A.  Conan  Doyle. 

Men  Who  Wrought,  The.     By  Ridgwell   Cullum. 

Midnight  of  the  Ranges.    By  George  Gilbert. 


Popular  Copyriglit  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 
A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 

Mischief  Maker,  The.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Missioner,  The.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Miss  Million's  Maid.    By  Berta  Ruck. 

Money  Master,  The.     By  Gilbert  Parker. 

Money  Moon,  The.    By  Jeffery  Farnol. 

Moonlit  Way,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

More  Tish.     By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 

Mountain  Girl,  The.     By  Payne  Erskine. 

Mr.  Bingle.     By  George  Barr  McCutcheon. 

Mr.  Grex  of  Monte  Carlo.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Mr.  Pratt.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Pratt's  Patients.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Wu.    By  Louise.Jordan  Miln. 

Mrs.  Balfame.     By  Gertrude  Atherton. 

Mrs.  Red  Pepper.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

My  Lady  of  the  North.    By  Randall  Parrish. 

My  Lady  of  the  South.     By  Randall  Parrish. 

Mystery  of  the  Hasty  Arrow,  The.    By  Anna  K.  Green. 

Mystery  of  the  Silver  Dagger,  The.    By  Randall  Parrishc 

Mystery  of  the  13th  Floor,  The.    By  Lee  Thayer. 

Nameless  Man,  The.    By  Natalie  Sumner  Lincoln. 

Ne'er-Do-Well,  The.    By  Rex  Beach. 

Net,  The.     By  Rex  Beach. 

New  Clarion.     By  Will  N.  Harben. 

Night  Horseman,  The.    By  Max  Brand. 

Night  Operator,  The.    By  Frank  L.  Packard. 

Night  Riders,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

North  of  the  Law.    By  Samuel  Alexander  White. 

One  Way  Trail,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Outlaw,  The.    By  Jackson  Gregory. 

Owner  of  the  Lazy  D.    By  William  Patterson  White. 

Painted  Meadows.    By  Sophie  Kerr. 

Palmetto.    By  Stella  G.  S.  Perry. 

Paradise  Bend.    By  William  Patterson  White. 

Pardners.    By  Rex  Beach. 

Parrot  &  Co.    By  Harold  MacGrath. 

Partners  of  the  Night    By  Leroy  Scott. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 
A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 

Partners  of  the  Tide.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Passionate  Pilgrim,  The.    By  Samuel  Merwin. 

Patricia  Brent,  Spinster.     Anonymous. 

Patrol  of  the  Sun  Dance  Trail,  The.    By  Ralph  Connor. 

Paul  Anthony,  Christian.     By  Hiram  W.  Hayes. 

Pawns  Count,  The.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Peacemakers,  The.    By  Hiram  W.  Hayes. 

Peddler,  The.     By  Henry  C.  Rowland. 

People's  Man,  A.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Peter  Ruff  and  the  Double  Four.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Poor  Man's  Rock.     By  Bertrand  Sinclair. 

Poor  Wise  Man,  A.     By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 

Portygee,  The.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Possession.     By  Olive  Wadsley. 

Postmaster,  The.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Prairie  Flowers.     By  James  B.  Hendryx. 

Prairie  Mother,  The.     By  Arthur  Stringer. 

Prairie  Wife,  The.     By  Arthur  Stringer. 

Pretender,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Service. 

Price  of  the  Prairie,  The.    By  Margaret  Hill  McCarter. 

Prince  of  Sinners,  A.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Promise,  The.    By  J.  B.  Hendryx. 

Quest  of  the  Sacred  Slipper,  The.    By  Sax  Rohmer. 

Rainbow's  End,  The.     By  Rex  Beach. 

Rainbow  Valley.    By  L.  M.  Montgomery. 

Ranch  at  the  Wolverine,  The.    By  B.  M.  Bower. 

Ranching  for  Sylvia.     By  Harold  Bindloss. 

Ransom.     By  Arthur  Somers  Roche. 

Real  Life.     By  Henry  Kitchell  Webster. 

Reclaimers,  The.    By  Margaret  Hill  McCarter. 

Re-Creation  of  Brian  Kent,  The.    By  Harold  Bell  Wright. 

Red  and  Black.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Red  Mist,  The.    By  Randall  Parrish. 

Red  Pepper  Burns.     By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Red  Pepper's  Patients.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Red  Seal,  The.     By  Natalie  Sumner  Lincoln. 

Rejuvenation  of  Aunt  Mary,  The.    By  Anne  Warner. 

Restless  Sex,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 
A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 

Return  of  Dr.  Fu-Manchu,  The.    By  Sax  Rohmer. 
Return  of  Tarzan,  The.     By  Edgar  Rice  Burroughs. 
Riddle  of  the  Frozen  Flame,  The.     By  M.  E.  and  T.  W. 

Hanshew. 

Riddle  of  Night,  The,    By  Thomas  W.  Hanshew. 
Riddle  of  the  Purple  Emperor,  The.    By  T.  W.  and  M.  E. 

Hanshew. 

Rider  of  the  King  Log,  The.    By  Holman  Day. 
Rim  of  the  Desert,  The.    By  Ada  Woodruff  Anderson. 
Rise  of  Roscoe  Paine,  The.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 
Rising  Tide,  The.     By  Margaret  Deland. 
Rocks  of  Valpre,  The.    By  Ethel  M.  Dell. 
Room  Number  3.    By  Anna  Katharine  Green. 
Rose  in  the  Ring,  The.    By  George  Barr  McCutcheon. 
Round  the  Corner  in  Gay  Street.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

St.  Elmo.    (111.  Ed.)    By  Augusta  J.  Evans. 

Second  Choke.     By  Will  N.  Harben. 

Second  Latchkey,  The.    By  C.  N.  &  A.  M.  Williamson. 

Second  Violin,  The.     By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Secret  of  the  Reef,  The.    Harold  Bindloss. 

Secret  of  Sarek,  The.    By  Maurice  Leblanc. 

See-Saw,  The.     By  Sophie  Kerr. 

Self-Raised.    (Ill)     By  Mrs.  Southworth. 

Shavings.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Sheik,  The.   By  E.  M.  Hull. 

Shepherd  of  the  Hills,  The.    By  Harold  Bell  Wright. 

Sheriff  of  Dyke  Hole,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Sheriff  of  Silver  Bow,  The.    By  Berton  Braley. 

Sherry.     By  George  Barr  McCutcheon. 

Side  of  the  Angels,  The.    By  Basil  King. 

Sight  Unseen  and  The  Confession.    By  Mary  Robert  Rinehart. 

Silver  Horde,  The.    By  Rex  Beach. 

Sin  That  Was  His,  The.    By  Frank  L.  Packard. 

Sixty-first  Second,  The.     By  Owen  Johnson. 

Slayer  of  Souls,  The.    By  Robert  W.  Chambers 

Son  of  His  Father,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Son  of  Tarzan,  The.     By  Edgar  Rice  Burroughs. 

Speckled  Bird,  A.     By  Augusta  Evans  Wilson. 

Spirit  of  the  Border,  The.     (New  Edition.)     By  Zane  Grey. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 

A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 


Spoilers,  The.     By  Rex  Beach. 

Steele  of  the  Royal  Mounted,    By  James  Oliver  Curwood. 

Still  Jim.    By  Honore  Willsie. 

Story  of  Foes  River  Ranch,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Story  of  Marco,  The.    By  Eleanor  H.  Porter. 

Strange  Case  of  Cavendish,  The.    By  Randall  Parrish. 

Strawberry  Acres.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Sudden  Jim.    By  Clarence  B.  Kelland. 

Sweethearts  Unmet    By  Berta  Ruck. 

Tales  of  Secret  Egypt.     By  Sax  Rohmer. 

Tales  of  Sherlock  Holmes.     By  A.  Conan  Doyle. 

Talitha  Cumi.    By  Annie  J.  Holland. 

Taming  cf  Zenas  Henry,  The.    By  Sara  Ware  Bassett. 

Tarzan  of  the  Apes.    By  Edgar  Rice  Burroughs. 

Tarzan  and  the  Jewels  of  Opar.     By  Edgar  Rice  Burroughs. 

Tempting  of  Tavernake,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Teas  of  the  D'Urbervilles.     By  Thomas  Hardy. 

Texan,  The.    By  James  B.  Hendryx. 

Thankful's  Inheritance.    By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

That  Affair  Next  Door.    By  Anna  Katharine  Green. 

That  Printer  of  Udell's.     By  Harold  Bell  Wright. 

Their  Yesterdays.     By  Harold  Bell  Wright 

Thieves'  Wit    By  Hulbert  Footner. 

Thirteenth  Commandment,  Thex     By  Rupert  Hughes. 

Three  Eyes,  The.    By  Maurice  Leblanc. 

Three  of  Hearts,  The.    By  Berta  Ruck. 

Three  Strings,  The.     By  Natalie  Sumner  Lincoln. 

Tiger's  Coat,  The.    By  Elizabeth  Dejeans. 

Tish.     By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 

Tobias  O'  the  Light    By  James  A.  Cooper. 

Trail  of  the  Axe,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Trail  to  Yesterday,  The.    By  Charles  A.  Seltzer. 

Trailin'.     By  Max  Brand. 

Trap,  The.     By  Maximilian  Foster. 

Treasure  of  Heaven,  The.    By  Marie  Corelli. 

Triple  Mystery,  The.     By  Adele  Luehrmann. 

Triumph,  The.    By  Will  N.  Harben. 

Triumph  of  John  Kars,  The.     By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

T.  Tembarom.    By  Frances  IJodgson  Burnett. 


Popular  Copyright  Novels 

AT  MODERATE  PRICES 

Ask  Your  Dealer  for  a  Complete  List  of 

A.  L.  Burt  Company's  Popular  Copyright  Fiction 


fTurn  of  the  Tide.     By  Author  of  "Pollyanna." 
Turnstile  of  Night,  The.    By  William  Allison. 
Twenty-fourth  of  June,  The.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 
Twins  of  Suffering  Creek,  The.     By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 
Two-Gun  Man,  The.    By  Charles  A.  Seltzer. 

Under  Handicap.     By  Jackson  Gregory. 

Under  the  Country  Sky.    By  Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Underwood  Mystery,  The.     By  Charles  J.  Dutton. 

Uneasy  Street.    By  Arthur  Somers  Roche. 

Unpardonable  Sin,  The.     Major  Rupert  Hughes. 

Untamed,  The.    By  Max  Brand. 

Up  from  Slavery.    By  Booker  T.  Washington. 

Valiants  of  Virginia,  The.    By  Hallie  Ermine  Rives. 
Valley  of  Fear,  The.    By  Sir  A.  Conan  Doyle. 
Valley  of  the  Sun,  The.    By  William  M.  McCoy. 
Vanguatds  of  the  Plains.    By  Margaret  Hill  McCarter. 
Vanished  Mesenger,  The.     By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 
Vashti.    By  Augusta  Evans  Wilson. 
Virtuous  Wives.    By  Owen  Johnson. 
Voice  of  the  Pack,  The.    By  Ed  son  Marshall. 

Waif-o'-the-Sea.     By  Cyrus  Townsend  Brady. 

Wall  Between,  The.    By  Sara  Ware  Bassett. 

Wall  of  Men,  A.     By  Margaret  H.  McCarter. 

Watchers  of  the  Plains,  The  By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Way  Home,  The.    By  Basil  King. 

Way  of  an  Eagle,  The.    By  E.  M.  Dell. 

Way  of  the  Strong,  The.    By  Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Way  of  These  Women,  The.    By  E.  Phillips  Oppenheim, 

We  Can't  Have  Everything.    By  Major  Rupert  Hughes. 

Weavers,  The.    By  Gilbert  Parker. 

West  Wind  Drift.    By  George  Barr  McCutcheon. 

When  a  Man's  a  Man,    By  Harold  Bell  Wright. 

Where  the  Trail  Divides.    By  Will  Lillibridge. 

Where  There's  a  Will.    By  Mary  R.  Rinehart. 

White  Moll,  The.     By  Frank  L.  Packard. 

Who  Goes  There?    By  Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Why  Not.    By  Margaret  Widdemer. 


A     000  1 24  894     7 


